Photo of murder accused Kannada actor Darshan smoking with a rowdy 'in jail' goes viral | Bengaluru News

BENGALURU: A photo allegedly showing Sandalwood actor Darshan Hanging out with a notorious Rowdy Sheeper on the premises of Central Prison in the city went viral on Sunday.
Darshan, who was arrested for the murder of his fan RenukaswamyRowdy sheetmaker Wilson Garden Naga and two others are seen in the photo. The actor and another person are holding a mug and a cigarette. They are looking at someone or something and laughing.
If the photo is genuine, it is clearly an illegal act of favouritism towards prison inmates by the authorities. Director General of Police (DGP-Prisons) Malini Krishnamurthy has taken the photo seriously and ordered an investigation.
While TOI could not confirm the authenticity of the photograph, jail officials neither confirmed nor denied that it was from the prison.
On Sunday evening, a 25-second video clip surfaced in the media showing Darshan talking to someone via video call. It could not be verified whether the clip was made in prison. Prison authorities have not yet commented on the footage.
Darshan and six other people, including his girlfriend Pravitra Gowda and his manager Nagarajare among the 17 people arrested in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.
What can be seen in the photo
Four plastic chairs and a tea kettle are provided for the four prisoners. Darshan, Naga, the manager of actor Nagaraj and another rowdy who appears to be Kulla Seena are sitting on the chairs, in the middle of which is a wooden tea kettle, in an open space that looks like a lawn in one of the blocks in the prison premises.
Darshan is holding a mug in his right hand and a cigarette in his left hand. Naga is holding a mug with both hands. They are all looking at something and laughing. The photo appears to have been taken from a building opposite the open space where the four were sitting.
Incidentally, the CCB police had visited the prison on Saturday and conducted a surprise check but returned empty-handed as they did not find anything illegal such as cigarettes, drugs, mobile phones and weapons.
Why it is illegal
The state government banned the sale or consumption of cigarettes or other tobacco products on prison premises a year and a half ago. According to sources Prison officials We continue to provide them to some tobacco-dependent prisoners, as withdrawal symptoms can cause them to become depressed.
Before the ban, cigarettes were sold in the prison canteen. Inmates would buy them and take them to their cell or barrack where they were housed and smoke there. Smoking outside was banned even if the sale was legal, a senior prison official told TOI.
In view of this, it is surprising that Darshan and others were allowed to smoke in the open. Apparently, they were also provided with chairs and a tea table, which is a clear violation of the prison manual. It may be recalled that some prison officials were suspended after allegations were made that AIADMK leader K Sasikala, who was serving a sentence in a DA case, was given preferential treatment a few years ago.
Investigation ordered, says Director General of Prisons
DGP (prisons) Malini Krishnamurthy told TOI, “I ordered an inquiry after the photograph came to my attention. Two senior officers were immediately sent to visit the prison and conduct an inquiry. Once they submit the report, necessary action will be taken.”
“If it is a real photo, we will take the incident seriously and take action,” she added.
“We are surprised that the person who took the photo brought the mobile phone to the jail. We have also installed jammers… We will also find out who took and circulated the photo,” the official added.
A senior source said, “Darshan and Naga live in different barracks. Visiting another barrack is illegal.”