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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Kerala: Court imposes 41-year jail term on man for sexual assault of minor
Kozhikode (Kerala) (PTI): A Kerala court on Wednesday sentenced a man to 41 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor boy near Valayam in 2021.
Nadapuram Fast Track Special Court judge K Naushad Ali sentenced 64-year-old Panchara Musa, also known as Ganapathiyat Musa, under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), according to special public prosecutor Manoj Aroor.
As the sentences are to run concurrently, the convict will have to serve the highest term of 20 years’ imprisonment, SPP Aroor said. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 52,000 on Musa.
The incident took place in August 2021 when the accused allegedly took the 14-year-old boy to a bus stop in Valayam town and sexually assaulted him, the prosecutor said. The accused also gave Rs 50 to the boy, he added.
Following the incident, the boy and his father lodged a complaint at the Valayam police station.
A case under various provisions of the POCSO Act and the IPC was registered, and the accused was subsequently arrested, the SPP said.
The prosecution examined 16 witnesses and submitted 16 documents to substantiate its case against the accused, he added.
