A viral photograph allegedly showing Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, currently in judicial custody for the Renukaswamy murder case, has sparked controversy. In the image, Darshan, who is currently housed in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, appears relaxed, sitting in an open area with a cigarette and coffee cup in hand.
Some reports claim the others in the photo include rowdy sheeter Wilson Garden Naga, along with fellow inmates Nagaraj, who is Darshan’s manager and co-accused, and Kulla Seena.
However, there has been no official confirmation yet regarding the photo’s authenticity, its location, or whether it was taken within the jail premises or is an altered image.
“With such things there is a feeling that a CBI probe should happen,” said Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, the father of the deceased Renukaswamy. Reacting to the viral photo, he expressed shock, saying, “Looking at the picture I’m surprised to see him (Darshan) with others holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We get a doubt whether he is in jail or not. Jail should be a jail and should not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he seems to be sitting in a resort,” he told reporters in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga.
He further mentioned that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and police officials had assured him of justice, “The guilty should be punished and thereby my son’s soul should get peace. I know the pain of losing my son…we are deeply pained, and he (Darshan) seems to be enjoying being there, in jail… We still have faith in the police and the government.”
A total of 17 people, including Kannada actor Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda, are in judicial custody for their alleged involvement in the murder of Renukaswamy.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda recently stated that the final report on the case will be submitted to the court soon, once the remaining forensic reports are received.
The photo has been widely shared on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), with users questioning the special treatment meted out to the actor while in judicial custody.
According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan of the actor, had sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda. This reportedly angered Darshan and allegedly led to Renukaswamy’s murder. His body was discovered near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on June 9.
One of the accused, Raghavendra, a member of Darshan’s fan club in Chitradurga, lured Renukaswamy to a shed in RR Nagar under the false pretense that Darshan wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that Renukaswamy was allegedly tortured and killed.
The post-mortem report revealed that Renukaswamy, who was from Chitradurga, died from shock and bleeding caused by multiple blunt injuries.Police sources claim that Pavithra Gowda, who is the main accused, played a significant role in the murder. She is believed to have instigated the other accused, conspired with them, and actively participated in the crime.