7 Bengaluru prison officials suspended over VIP treatment of actor Darshan
Bengaluru: Seven officials from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru have been suspended following an investigation into allegations of VIP treatment given to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody. The suspension came after a photograph and video of the actor in jail went viral, showing him in a relaxed state, reportedly receiving special privileges.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwar confirmed the suspension of the officials, stating, "The police conducted an investigation, and based on a preliminary inquiry, seven officers have been found involved and have been suspended. Further investigations are underway as this is a serious security lapse."
The controversy erupted after an image of Darshan, who is in custody in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, surfaced online. The photograph shows the actor sitting on a chair, holding a cigarette and a coffee cup, accompanied by three other individuals, reportedly including criminal Wilson Garden Naga, the actor's manager and co-accused Nagaraj, and inmate Kulla Seena. Additionally, a video allegedly showing Darshan engaging in a video call has also circulated widely.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many condemning the alleged preferential treatment afforded to Darshan. The actor, along with 16 others, including his friend Pavithra Gowda, is accused of being involved in the brutal murder of Renukaswamy, a fan who reportedly sent obscene messages to Gowda, provoking Darshan and leading to the murder.
Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, the father of the victim, has demanded a thorough investigation and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. "I'm surprised to see the picture of him (Darshan) with others, holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We doubt whether he is in jail or not. Jail should be a jail, not something else. He should be treated like any other prisoner," Shivanagowdru remarked.
The investigation had earlier revealed that Raghavendra, a member of Darshan's fan club, lured Renukaswamy to a shed in RR Nagar under the pretext of meeting the actor, where the victim was allegedly tortured and killed. The post-mortem report had confirmed that Renukaswamy died due to shock and haemorrhage caused by multiple blunt injuries.
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PWD, Google Maps officials booked in Bareilly bridge death case
Budaun (UP), Nov 25: Police here have booked officials of the Public Works Department and Google Maps in connection with the death of three men whose car rolled over an under-construction bridge while following directions on the navigation app, an officer on Monday said.
The car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge in Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday.
Nitin and Ajit, aged 30, both brothers from Farrukhabad district, and Amit, 40, from Mainpuri district, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding.
According to police, the driver was led by Google Maps into taking the unsafe route.
The incident took place on the Bareilly-Budaun border.
Dataganj Police Station SHO Gaurav Bishnoi said an FIR on charges of laxity in duty and others was filed against four engineers of the PWD, along with some unknown people.
The regional officer of Google Map has also been brought under the scope of investigation. His name is yet to be included in the FIR.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Google in a statement said, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We're working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue."
On Sunday, Faridpur Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said, "Earlier this year, floods caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse onto the river, but this change had not been updated in the system."
He said the bridge had no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach.
