7 jail officials suspended over VIP treatment given to Kannada actor Darshan

Seven prison officers, including the jailer of Bengaluru Central Prison, was suspended by the Karnataka government following the circulation of a viral image showing murder accused and actor Darshan smoking a cigarette and having tea on the prison lawn.

In the picture, Darshan was seen socialising with other inmates, raising concerns about preferential treatment.

On Monday, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara addressed the issue, describing it as a significant lapse in prison management and ordered an immediate investigation. "At nearly 4.30 pm, I received information that Darshan, along with three others, were relaxing while having tea. I spoke to the DG (prisons) and sent officials to the spot. An inquiry into the same was conducted by 1 am. This shouldn’t have happened. Seven officials were suspended, and some senior officers, including the prison superintendent, will be transferred," the minister stated.

He further added, "We aren’t defending what has happened. We have put jammers, but can’t put high-frequency jammers as residential areas get disturbed."

In response to the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed prison authorities to transfer actor Darshan to a different facility. Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to visit the prison and provide a comprehensive report on the situation.

The image reportedly went viral after a prison staffer clicked the photo and shared it with his wife, who later posted it on social media. The jail authorities are now facing backlash for allegedly providing VIP treatment to Darshan, who is accused of murdering his fan, Renukaswamy.

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Reacting to the incident, Renukaswamy's father, Shiva Gowda, expressed shock and disappointment. "It is shocking to see that Darshan shows no remorse for killing my son. We placed our trust in the police and the justice system, but this news is deeply unsettling. I urge the state government to take strict action against the actor and call for a CBI investigation," he said.

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Darshan was arrested on June 11, alongside his close friend Pavitra Gowda, in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy. The victim was killed on June 9 in a shed used for parking seized vehicles in southwestern Bengaluru, and his body was later dumped in a stormwater drain 10 kilometers away. According to the police, the crime was motivated by Renukaswamy’s online trolling of Pavitra Gowda, which allegedly angered both her and Darshan.