Kannada actor Darshan Thugudeepa is lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru in the famous Renukaswamy murder case of Karnataka. Now he can be shifted to another jail. Both the Chief Minister and the Home Minister gave such a hint on Tuesday. They said that the officials are in the process of taking such a decision. Darshan was seen sitting on a chair in the jail premises along with 3 other people including a criminal. In the viral picture, he was seen smoking with a coffee mug in his hand. Controversy arose after this.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, ‘We have asked for an inquiry into Darshan’s case. 9 people including the prison’s chief superintendent have been suspended. If anyone else needs to be suspended during the investigation, we will do it.’ The CM said that if Darshan and others need to be sent somewhere else based on the investigation report, we will do it. He was asked whether Darshan will be shifted to Bellary prison? To this, he said that the police will decide where to send him.
Jail officials will take decision after consultation
Home Minister G Parameshwara said an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer has been appointed to review all arrangements in the state’s prisons. He said the government cannot decide on shifting Darshan to another prison. “The prison authorities will decide on this after consulting the court and other authorities. The government does not decide on this. There are some rules because Darshan and other co-accused are undertrial prisoners. A decision will be taken based on that,” Parameshwara told reporters in response to a question. Asked when the authorities will take a decision, he said they will take a decision in the coming few days.
Different incidents recorded in CCTV cameras
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand said that the police have requested to transfer Darshan and other accused from Parappana Agrahara jail to other jails. Admitting that some lapses were found in the jail, Parameshwara said that prisoners were allowed to move from one barrack to another. This was recorded in CCTV cameras. Therefore, action was taken against the jail officials. The minister said that the matter is being investigated. An Indian Police Service officer will also be appointed. He said that based on the results of the officer’s investigation, we will find some permanent solution.
Report on prison reform is already ready
Parmeshwar said that he has received information that a report on prison reforms was submitted earlier. At the national level also, a report has been prepared on police and prison reforms which was submitted during the Manmohan Singh government. He said that necessary steps will be taken after considering them. There was also a question about the alleged royal facilities being given to many other high-profile prisoners like former MP Prajwal Revanna. On this, Parmeshwar said that after the Darshan incident, all the arrangements in the jail will be reviewed. For this, an officer of the Indian Police Service has been appointed.