- By Kamal Kumar
- Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Darshan Thoogudeepa, a famous Kannada actor who's currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, will be shifted to Bellary jail after a picture of him casually hanging out with three others at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail triggered a row. A massive controversy erupted over the picture with many terming it as a special privilege to the actor.
After the picture went viral and triggered a huge public outcry, a Bengaluru court ordered the transfer of Thoogudeepa from the central jail. In the picture, actor Darshan could be seen leisurely sitting while holding a mug in one hand. The court also asked the jail administration to conduct a probe into the case.
The photo showed Darshan, currently lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, holding a cup in his right hand and a cigarette in the other, with his gaze seemingly fixed on something far away.
Dreaded Kanadda gangster Wilson Garden Naga, Thoogudeepa's manager and a co-accused Nagaraj and Kulla Seena were identified as other individuals in the picture. As the controversy intensified, the state authorities ordered the shifting of all the accused, except Thoogudeepa's girlfriend Pavitra Gowda, from the central jail, an NDTV report stated.
The body of Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, was found in a drain near Summanahalli on June 9. He was reportedly tortured to death by the actor and his aides over some social media comments on Pavithra Gowda's Instagram posts.
In July, the Karnataka High Court highlighted that all citizens, including undertrial prisoners, are entitled to a nutritious diet regardless of their social or financial status, in response to a petition filed by Darshan. The actor had previously challenged a magistrate court's decision denying his request for home-cooked food, bedding, and cutlery while in prison.