7 prison officials suspended over actor Darshan's VIP treatment in jail, says Karnataka minister

Image Source : ANI Karnataka government takes action against jail officials over VIP treatment row

Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara on Monday admitted lapses inside the jail after pictures of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa - a murder accused went viral on social media in which was seen getting VIP treatment. The photograph allegedly shows Kannada actor sitting casually on a chair with a cigarette and coffee cup, enjoying an open space with three other persons.

"Yesterday evening our officers went and inquired. 7 officers were kept under suspension. This is a lapse. This should not be repeated. We also have some responsibility," Parameshwara said.

Darshan's request for home-cooked meals in jail

Earlier, Darshan Thoogudeepa filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, seeking home-cooked food, bedding and cutlery while in judicial custody. However, the court postponed further hearing to September five on Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa's petition, seeking home-cooked food, bedding and cutlery while in judicial custody.

The prison authorities informed the court that they had denied Darshan's requests. The actor's legal counsel has requested an additional week to review the order before making further submissions.

Bengaluru court extends judicial custody

A court on August 14 extended till August 28 the judicial custody of Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the magistrate through video conferencing from Bengaluru and Tumakuru prisons. The extension of judicial custody follows a remand application filed by the Kamakshipalya Police, who have requested more time to continue their investigation.

Authorities claim that substantial evidence ties all the accused to the crime, and that ongoing investigations are scrutinising their involvement. Key scientific evidence collected from the crime scene has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), but the final reports are still pending.

The case has expanded, with additional charges and cases under investigation, necessitating further judicial supervision.

There are also concerns about potential threats or coercion directed at the family of the deceased, which could undermine the integrity of the case. The investigation is expected to be bolstered by additional FSL reports and further input from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), which is analysing technical evidence, officials said.

What is the case?

According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9. Raghavendra, one of the accused who is part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar here, on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered. According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries.

Police sources said Pavithra, who is accused number one, was the "major cause" for Renukaswamy’s murder, claiming that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime.

(With agencies inputs)

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