Actor Darshan, who remains in judicial custody as the second accused in the high-profile Chitradurga Renukaswamy murder case, is at the centre of fresh controversy inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. Reports from internal sources suggest that the actor has been involved in a brawl with some of his co-accused who are lodged in the same barracks. The barracks houses Darshan, his manager R. Nagaraj, car driver Laxman, businessman Pradush Rao, and auto drivers Anukumar alias Anu and Jagadish alias Jagga.
Sources indicate that the recent tensions stem from Darshan's alleged erratic and aggressive behaviour. It is claimed that for the past few days, the actor has been waking up early in the morning, kicking the co-accused, and using obscene language. The situation is reported to have escalated two days ago into a major fight between Darshan and co-accused Jagadish, which had to be broken up by prison staff and other inmates. Following the incident, Anukumar and Jagadish reportedly requested prison authorities to transfer them to a different barracks or shift them to the Chitradurga jail, citing fear and an inability to cope with the alleged harassment.
Jail Authorities Deny Disturbance, Vow Investigation
Despite the detailed reports from sources, jail authorities have officially denied that any such incident took place. Jail Superintendent (SP) Anshukumar, an IPS officer recently appointed to spearhead prison reforms, stated, "There is no information about any disturbance in the barracks where Darshan is kept. An investigation is being conducted as rumours of a disturbance have been spread. The jail authorities have also been informed."
SP Anshukumar further added that recent inspections have been rigorous, leading to the seizure of prohibited items like mobile phones, SIM cards, and cash from various barracks. He emphasized that if a major brawl had occurred in Darshan's barracks, the other accused would have certainly provided information during the regular inspections. The statement by the jail administration suggests that they are treating the reports as unfounded rumours while simultaneously initiating a probe into the source of the information.
Strict Enforcement and Context of Confinement
The alleged disturbance comes amid a period of stringent rule enforcement and reform within the Central Prison. The state government recently appointed IPS officer Anshu Kumar to prevent irregularities, a decision prompted by a series of viral videos showing high-profile convicts, including serial rapist Umesh Reddy and terror accused Juhad Hamid Shakeel Manna, enjoying prohibited facilities like mobile phones and television.
Jail sources have confirmed the strict implementation of the prison manual, stating that all inmates, even influential ones like Darshan, are now required to adhere to the rules. This includes cleaning the toilets in their barracks themselves and coming in a queue for meals. Furthermore, a CCTV camera has been installed in front of Darshan's barrack for enhanced surveillance. This imposition of stricter, non-discriminatory rules, replacing a previous regime of alleged 'VIP treatment,' may be a contributing factor to the rising tensions among the co-accused, who may perceive Darshan as the cause of their curtailed privileges.
Legal and Cinematic Backdrop
The actor's controversial confinement follows the quashing of his bail order by the Supreme Court on August 14, which deemed the Karnataka High Court's decision "perverse and wholly unwarranted." The apex court had also warned against any preferential treatment in jail. The legal complexities continue to mount as his co-accused, including Pavithra Gowda, recently had their review pleas against the cancellation of bail dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Compounding his legal troubles, Darshan's film, Devil, is scheduled for release on December 11, further intensifying the spotlight on his activities even as he remains behind bars. The reported emotional and physical distress of his co-accused, and their request for a transfer, underscore the challenging atmosphere within the high-security prison as the judicial process moves forward in this prominent murder case.
