As many as seven officials at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Jail were suspended after Kannada actor Darshan, accused in a murder case, was seen having tea and hanging out with three others on the prison premises, Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara, confirmed.
Following the development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed prison authorities to move Darshan to a different jail. Siddaramaiah also asked the state Director General of Police (DGP) to visit the prison premises and submit a detailed report on the incident.
Darshan is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case.
Commenting on the suspension of jail officials, the Home Minister said he spoke to the Directorate General (prisons) and an investigation was launched.
Parameshwara also said senior officers, including the prison superintendent, will be transferred.
“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,” he said.
“This shouldn’t have happened. Seven officials were suspended, and some senior officers, including the prison superintendent, will be transferred,” the Home Minister added.
Upon being asked about the jail security, Parameshwara said, “We aren’t defending what has happened. We have put jammers, but can’t put high-frequency jammers as residential areas get disturbed.”
In the viral photo, Darshan could be seen relaxing on a chair, holding a cigarette and a cup of tea, in an open space.
Media reports suggested others seen in the picture were rowdy sheeter Wilson Garden Naga and inmates Nagaraj (the actor’s manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena.
Thirty-three-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to the fan’s murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli on June 9.
Renukaswamy’s post-mortem report suggested he died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries.
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