Viral photo shows murder accused actor Darshan Thoogudeepa relaxing in prison with coffee and cigarette

A photo purporting to show Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody for Renukaswamy’s murder, has gone viral.

The picture shows Darshan in a relaxed setting in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. He is sitting on a chair, casually holding a cigarette and a coffee cup. PTI reported.

Also read: Renukaswamy murder case: Darshan Thoogudeepa remanded in custody until July 4

The people accompanying him in the photo reportedly include violent bedsheet layer Wilson Garden Naga, as well as fellow inmates Nagaraj (Darshan's manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena.

In addition, a video has surfaced showing Darshan on a video call with someone.

Meanwhile, Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, father of the late Renukaswamy, reacted to the picture and demanded an investigation and punishment of those responsible. “In such things, there is a feeling that a CBI investigation should be held.”

“When I look at the picture, I am surprised to see him (Darshan) with others, holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We have doubts whether he is in jail or not. The jail should be a jail and not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he is sitting in a recreational area,” he told reporters in the district capital Chitradurga.

Stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and police officials had promised him justice, he said, “The culprits should be punished and through this, my son's soul should find peace. I know the pain of losing my son… we are deeply saddened and he (Darshan) seems to be enjoying being there in jail… We still have faith in the police and the government.”

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The opposition BJP asked the Home Minister to clarify whether the Parappana Agrahara prison is a “prison or a palace”.

Party leader and MLC N Ravi Kumar criticised the prison authorities and the police for allegedly providing Darshan Thoogudeepa with “luxurious stay and royal hospitality” during his detention.

“This is the culmination of Congress's mismanagement… This underlines the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Home Ministry has completely failed,” he said, urging the government to immediately investigate the matter and take action against the guilty officials and staff so that such incidents do not occur in the jail in future.

A total of 17 people, including Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda, are currently in custody in connection with Renukaswamy's murder.

Also read: Darshan case: Renukaswamy sustained 15 serious injuries, his head was violently rammed against a vehicle | What we know so far

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda had recently stated that the police would submit the final report in the murder case to the court after receiving the remaining forensic reports.

PTI As reported citing police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan and allegedly led to the fan's murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain adjacent to a flat in Sumanahalli on June 9.

Raghavendra, an accused with links to Darshan Thoogudeepa's fan club in Chitradurga, allegedly lured Renukaswamy to a hut in RR Nagar on the pretext of meeting the actor. There, Renukaswamy was allegedly tortured and murdered.

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According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died of shock and haemorrhage due to multiple blunt injuries. Police sources reported PTI Gowda, the main accused, was identified as the “major perpetrator” of the murder. Investigations revealed that she not only instigated and conspired with the other accused but was also involved in the crime.