The Karnataka government on Monday suspended seven prison officials after leaked photos and videos suggested that Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, accused in a murder case, was receiving "VIP treatment" while in custody.The visuals, which quickly went viral on social media, have sparked public outrage and raised serious concerns about the integrity of the prison system at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the suspensions during a press briefing on Monday. "Following an inquiry conducted by our officers last evening, seven prison officials have been suspended. This is a grave security lapse, and we are committed to ensuring such incidents do not recur," Parameshwara stated.
The controversial footage shows Darshan casually smoking a cigarette and conversing over a video call while seated in an open area within the prison. He is seen alongside three other individuals: Wilson Garden Naga, a notorious criminal; Nagaraj, Darshan’s manager and co-accused; and Kulla Seena, another inmate.
Darshan is currently in judicial custody, facing charges related to the murder of Renukaswamy, a Chitradurga native whose body was found near a stormwater drain on June 9.According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy died from shock and hemorrhage caused by multiple blunt-force injuries, allegedly inflicted during torture in a shed in RR Nagar.(UNI)
