Darshan's VVIP Treatment in Jail: Nine Police Officials Suspended After Actor's Photo Goes Viral

Bengaluru: Nine police officials from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail have been suspended after a photograph of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, went viral, showing him with three others. The suspension was confirmed by Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar to Republic Kannada.

The suspended officials include Jailers Sharanappa and Prabhu, Assistant Jailers Tippeswamy and Shrikanth, Head Wardens Venkatapathy Korti and Sampath Kumar, and Warden Basappa Geli.

Three separate FIRs have been lodged at Parappana Agrahara police station related to the incident: one for providing cigarettes, another for making the video viral, and a third concerning the removal of a box when CCB police arrived.

The viral photograph shows Darshan, who is lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, sitting in a relaxed manner, holding a cigarette and a coffee cup, in an open space. Reports suggest that those seated with Darshan are Wilson Garden Naga, a known rowdy sheeter, along with other inmates Nagaraj (Darshan's manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena. Additionally, a purported video of Darshan speaking to someone over a video call has also surfaced.

There has been no official confirmation regarding whether the photograph and video were taken within the jail premises or if they were from an earlier time. There is also speculation that the materials could be doctored.

Reacting to the viral photo, Kashinath S. Shivanagowdru, the father of the deceased Renukaswamy, demanded an investigation and strict punishment for those involved. He expressed his disbelief at the image, questioning whether Darshan was truly in jail or enjoying resort-like treatment. "Looking at the picture, I'm surprised to see him (Darshan) with others holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We get a doubt whether he is in jail or not. Jail should be a jail and should not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he seems to be sitting in a resort," Kashinath said.

He further mentioned that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and police officials had assured him justice. "The guilty should be punished and thereby my son's soul should get peace. I know the pain of losing my son... we are deeply pained, and he (Darshan) seems to be enjoying being there, in jail... We still have faith in the police and the government," he added.

The opposition BJP has also raised concerns, demanding that the Home Minister clarify whether Parappana Agrahara jail is a "prison or a palace." BJP leader and MLC N. Ravi Kumar condemned the alleged preferential treatment provided to Darshan, stating, "This is the height of Congress's maladministration... This highlights the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Home department has completely failed." He urged the government to investigate the matter and take necessary actions against the guilty officials to prevent such incidents in the future.

Darshan, along with 16 others, including his friend Pavithra Gowda, is currently in judicial custody in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner, B. Dayananda, recently stated that the final report in the murder case would be submitted to the court soon after receiving the remaining forensic reports.

According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, allegedly sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged the actor and reportedly led to the murder. Renukaswamy's body was discovered near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on June 9. The post-mortem report indicated that Renukaswamy died from shock and hemorrhage due to multiple blunt injuries.

Gowda, who is accused number one, is said to be the "major cause" behind the murder, with police sources claiming that she instigated the crime and actively participated in it.