Celebrities using power and money to gain special privileges inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison is not new.
The photograph of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa relaxing on the lawn inside the jail with a teacup and a cigarette, alongside a group of undertrials including rowdy sheeter Wilson Naga, is reminiscent of the VK Sasikala exposé.
In the Darshan case, police sources investigating the matter told News18 that it would certainly have an impact during the arguments for the Kannada actor’s bail plea and extension of judicial remand. While Darshan’s legal team has yet to apply for bail, as they are awaiting the chargesheet to be filed, legal experts working on the case have said that in the remand hearing scheduled for August 28, this issue of highhandedness and misuse of power will likely be raised.
In the Sasikala case, the close aide of former AIADMK chief minister J Jayalalithaa was found to have been enjoying special privileges, including having a separate corridor for herself, with separate cooking facilities arranged in an adjacent empty cell, in addition to special arrangements for those visiting her in jail. According to CCTV footage, people were allowed to visit Sasikala for several hours, in complete violation of rules. There was also evidence showing her in civilian clothing and slipping out of jail for a short period to shop in local markets.
“There are several lapses that can be found in the Darshan case,” said a senior retired IPS officer. The former officer explained how the police headquarters have a multi-window output of the prison, with live feeds that are supposed to be monitored 24×7 by prison officials.
“Darshan sitting on the lawn with other undertrials, sharing a cigarette, is a visual that should have raised a red alert. Either the officials involved chose to turn a blind eye, or they neglected their duty of monitoring the video feed. Either way, it is a total dereliction of duty,” said the official, who did not want to be named.
After the photo of Darshan enjoying such special treatment was leaked, the Karnataka home minister announced that seven prison officials, including V Seshumurthy, chief superintendent of prisons, Mallikarjun Swamy, superintendent of prisons, jailers Sharanabasava Aminghada and Prabhu S Khandelwal, assistant jailers LS Thippeswamy and Srikanth Talwar, head warders Venkappa Kodti and Sampath Kumar Kadapatti, and warder Basappa Keli, were suspended.
A city court granted permission to transfer Darshan to Ballari jail. Along with him, nine others involved in the murder of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy will be transferred to different jails across the state. The main accused, Pavithra Gowda, along with two others, will remain in Bengaluru Central Prison. Four others have already been moved to Tumakuru prison.
Three special teams have been formed by the Bengaluru Police to investigate how actor Darshan received VIP treatment inside the prison, with a report expected within a week, according to a senior officer.
“Doesn’t this show how powerful they are, how they can manipulate the system and afford such privileges? This will definitely have an impact when he applies for bail. It will be one of the main considerations for the application of bail. Whether they missed their liberty, all this will be seen as grounds for denial,” said a legal expert working closely on the case. A final report on the Renuka Swamy murder case is expected to be filed within the next ten days.
Three FIRs have been filed concerning Darshan’s enjoyment of privileges, and he is expected to be made an accused in two. The newly formed teams, led by Southeast Division DCP Sara Fatima, are investigating three cases. The first case will investigate how Darshan gained access to tea and other beverages at all times and was able to smoke cigarettes on the prison lawn, despite the prohibition of coffee mugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs in jail. The police inquiry will also examine who arranged the chairs for the actor, gangster Wilson Naga, and others seen in the viral photo, as well as the nature of Darshan’s interactions with the undertrials.
The second case focuses on the use of a mobile phone inside the prison to take photos and make video calls, which is strictly prohibited. A video clip of Darshan speaking over a video call was also leaked. The investigation will determine how the accused obtained the mobile phone, who provided the device, and how internet access was arranged. The third case will deal with negligence by jail officials and will be overseen by ACP Manjunath.
“Inside the prison, provisions are made for tea and coffee. But everything has a time and place, including the designated areas for exercise and other activities. However, obtaining a chair to sit and lounge on the lawn is a clear violation of jail rules and shows how deep the corruption runs,” said the retired police official.
Special public prosecutor Prasanna Kumar told News18 that he sees a strong and watertight case. He also noted that the misuse of privileges would be brought up in court.
“This will be one of the negative points raised during the bail application. It shows how influential he is and speaks to his conduct. While this may not directly strengthen the Renuka Swamy murder case, it will certainly expose his conduct and the extent of his power, both inside and outside the jail,” Kumar said.
Darshan also appealed to the Karnataka High Court regarding the food being served to him inside the jail. His application claimed he was not being served nutritious food and requested home-cooked meals, bedding, and cutlery while in judicial custody, stating that he had suffered from food poisoning. He further asserted that as an actor, he needed a high-protein diet to maintain his physique, and only home-cooked meals could provide that.
His multiple appeals have been denied by the court on the grounds that they did not adhere to the jail manual.
A similar case of alleged misuse of power inside the jail involving VK Sasikala was exposed by then DIG (prisons) D Roopa Moudgil. In her 22-page report, she provided visual and written evidence of various violations. The Tamil Nadu politician was sent to prison after being convicted in the disproportionate assets case in 2017 for four years. During her term, Roopa’s report indicated that Sasikala had struck a deal with Karnataka prison officials for preferential treatment. A one-man panel set up to investigate Roopa’s allegations found her findings to be true.
Roopa’s report stated, “The video recordings and photographs appended with this report show that the special facility of wearing personal clothing and having interviews with visitors in the first-floor administrative block has been granted to Mrs Sasikala.” The report added, “The CCTV footage shows Sasikala and Ilavarasi (her sister-in-law and fellow convict) dressed in their personal clothing, leaving the women’s barracks along with prison officials. The footage, which lasts seven hours, shows her leaving around 10:37 a.m. and returning at approximately 5:51 p.m., making it clear that she had left the jail premises.” The report also alleged that prison officials falsified records on that particular day.
Returning to the Darshan case, the court hearing on the extension of judicial custody is scheduled for August 28. This hearing will involve Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavitra Gowda, and 15 others. The case first captured public attention on June 11, when Darshan and his alleged girlfriend Pavitra Gowda were arrested in connection with the murder of 33-year-old pharmacist Renuka Swamy.
Renuka Swamy, a fan of Darshan, had reportedly posted derogatory remarks about Gowda on social media, which allegedly provoked her and led to the planning of his murder. Swamy had also accused Gowda of being responsible for Darshan’s separation from his wife. It is alleged that Darshan and Gowda were involved in both the planning and execution of the crime. Darshan is accused of confronting Renuka Swamy in his garage, where he allegedly attacked, tortured, and killed him before disposing of his body in a storm drain.
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