Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after images surfaced showing Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, allegedly receiving special treatment in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. The images, which show Darshan enjoying coffee and smoking cigarettes, have sparked widespread outrage.
R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, has directly held DK Shivakumar responsible for what he termed as “luxury treatment” provided to the murder-accused actor. Ashoka claimed that Shivakumar had visited Darshan in jail and assured him of assistance. He also questioned how prohibited items like cigarettes and possibly narcotic substances were made available to Darshan within the prison.
“Law and order have collapsed in the state. Cases of rape and murder are increasing, and instead of focusing on governance, Congress ministers and MLAs are busy securing their political survival. The Congress must provide a clear explanation for the incident inside the prison,” Ashoka demanded on Monday. He also raised concerns about how a mobile phone was smuggled into the jail, allowing the widely circulated photo of Darshan to be taken.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also criticized the Congress government, alleging a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses in the case. “The Congress government has utterly failed in handling the Darshan case. The special treatment is a strategy to destroy evidence and create fear among witnesses,” Joshi said.
The ruling Congress government has also faced criticism from the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS). Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is now a Union Minister following the JDS-BJP alliance, remarked that “star treatment for criminals” at Parappana Agrahara Jail has been an ongoing issue. “This is not a new problem. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, leading to conflicts among senior police officers. Now, we must see how the Congress government will address this situation,” Kumaraswamy said.
Facing growing pressure, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised strict action against those responsible for the alleged preferential treatment. So far, seven prison staffers have been suspended, and further disciplinary actions are expected. The Chief Minister’s office also mentioned that a decision would be made soon on transferring Darshan Thoogudeepa to another facility. Additionally, Karnataka Police Chief Alok Mohan has been instructed to submit a detailed report on the matter.
The actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, along with 13 others, is accused of the brutal murder of Renukaswamy, who was allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and killed by Darshan’s accomplices. The murder reportedly occurred after Renukaswamy sent obscene messages to actress Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan. Renukaswamy’s body was discovered in a stormwater drain on June 9. Four other accused individuals in the case are currently held in another prison in Tumakuru district.
The images that triggered this controversy show Darshan and three other men sitting comfortably in plastic chairs on a small lawn inside the prison. Darshan is seen smiling and holding a coffee cup. Reports indicate that the other men in the photo include his manager and co-accused Wilson Garden Naga and Kulla Seena, both inmates at the prison. Additionally, a video call involving Darshan has been widely shared, further fueling the outrage.
Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, the father of the murdered victim Renukaswamy, has called for a thorough investigation into the incident and demanded that those responsible for the special treatment be held accountable.
