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More importantly, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwar declared seven prison officials of Parappana Agrahara Central Jail suspended after a probe into the preferential treatment granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa. This move comes after pictures that were considered incriminating and a video went viral implying that Darshan, who is in judicial custody for a murder case involving a well-known personality, was being favored in jail.
The controversy erupted when a photograph emerged showing Darshan, who is currently detained in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy, lounging comfortably in jail. The image depicts the actor sitting in a chair, holding a cigarette and a coffee cup, accompanied by three other individuals, including his manager, Nagaraj, a fellow inmate named Kulla Seena, and criminal Wilson Garden Naga. Additionally, a video showing Darshan allegedly participating in a video call from his cell further fueled the outrage.
Security Lapse and Public Outrage
The images and video quickly went viral, prompting widespread criticism and demands for accountability. The apparent security lapse has sparked a major backlash, with many accusing the prison authorities of failing to uphold standard regulations. Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwar characterized the incident as a “serious security lapse” and confirmed that the suspended officers were found to be involved in the breach.
This made the public even more entangled with Darshan’s case due to its high-profile nature. Currently, Darshan and 16 other people, including his friend Pavithra Gowda, have been charged in judicial proceedings for the gruesome murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. The incident has attracted a lot of coverage in the media because of the brutality of the event and because the actor was the victim.
Details of the murder case
According to the investigation, Renukaswamy was allegedly killed by Darshan and his associates after sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, which reportedly provoked Darshan. The victim’s body was discovered near a stormwater drain on June 9. The post-mortem report confirmed death from shock and hemorrhage due to multiple blunt injuries.
The case turned ugly when it was found that Renukaswamy had been trapped in a shed in RR Nagar with the help of a member of Darshan’s fan club on the pretext of meeting the actor. It was there that Renukaswamy was allegedly tortured and killed, as per the news reported in the media. The police have further pursued the investigation, especially on the genuineness of the circulated video and on how Darshan could have been in such a position to sustain communication and comfort in custody.
Investigations and Suspensions
The video, which is said to have featured Darshan in a conversation with Sathya, a person with criminal tendencies, has further fueled the situation. Sathya, who is the son of a rowdy sheeter, was earlier involved in an assault case and is now out on bail. The video clip that went viral purportedly shows Darshan, Dharma, a rowdy sheeter who is also in police custody, and Sathya discussing something that has raised many eyebrows regarding the situation within the prison.
According to the conclusions, Director General of Police Malini Krishnamurthy has created a group to investigate the incident and the breach of security protocols. The focus is then turned on how Darshan was able to acquire a phone and be able to engage in such conversations while in jail, and whether other inmates benefited from the same.
Calls for Further Action
Kashinath S. Shivanagowdru, the father of the murder victim, has called for a comprehensive investigation and stringent action against those involved. Expressing his shock at the photos and videos, he demanded that a CBI probe be conducted to ensure transparency and accountability. “It’s unacceptable that a jail should appear like a resort. All prisoners should be treated equally, without any special treatment,” he stated.
As the probe goes on, the Karnataka government comes under pressure to explain the security lapses and guarantee that they will not happen again. The case raises issues as to the propriety of the prison system and the imperative necessity of ensuring compliance with the set standard in order to avoid exploitation of the prisoners and unfair treatment of the offenders. (Also read : https://test.inpactimes.com/bjp-hits-back-at-congress-over-its-criticism-over-the-ups-policy/)
