The Karnataka government has suspended seven prison officials after visuals emerged showing actor Darshan, serving remand in a murder case, getting special treatment in Bengaluru prison.
Addressing presspersons, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, “Yesterday evening our officers went to the prison and inquired. Based on the inquiry, seven officers have been suspended. This is a serious security lapse, it not be repeated.”
The issue came to light after visuals emerged showing Darshan smoking cigarettes and enjoying a beverage in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, where he is serving judicial custody in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.
In the images emerged, the accused actor is seen having a leisure time with three others – criminal Wilson Garden Naga, Nagaraj, the actor's manager and co-accused and Kulla Seena, another inmate. Visuals have also emerged of Darshan talking to someone over a video call.
33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor Darshan, had sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, which enraged Darshan and prompted him to plan and execute his murder. Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 other associates were arrested for murdering Renukaswamy.
Renukaswamy's body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9. According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries. Renukaswamy was allegedly tortured and murdered in a shed in RR Nagar.
