Court reserves order on Darshan’s plea against jail authorities for denial of basic facilities
Bengaluru: The City Civil and Sessions Court has reserved its order till October 9 on a petition filed by Kannada actor Darshan, seeking contempt proceedings against Parappana Agrahara jail officials for allegedly failing to provide him the minimum facilities mandated under the prison manual.
The matter came up before the 57th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on Tuesday. Darshan’s counsel argued that despite court directions, the prison authorities had not provided even basic amenities. On the other hand, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) representing the jail authorities maintained that all facilities permissible under the manual had been extended.
Superintendent Suresh appeared before the court and submitted a written explanation. The SPP P. Prasanna Kumar told the court that Darshan had been given access to a telephone, video conferencing, blanket, bed sheet, pillow, plates, and tumblers. He added that the prison manual does not allow for a cot or special barrack as demanded. Darshan is allowed to walk for an hour each in the morning and evening within the available space. “All basic facilities listed in the manual have been provided. But special requests like exposure to sunlight or a separate barrack cannot be claimed as a fundamental right,” the SPP argued.
Darshan’s lawyer Sunil countered that the court’s orders were being ignored. He argued that simple requests for bedding and protection from cold were being denied. “We are not asking for a golden cot. Only basic needs like mattress and pillow. The jail authorities claim facilities are given, but apart from one blanket, nothing has been provided after the court order,” he said.
The counsel further alleged that Darshan had been kept in a quarantine cell, unlike any other prisoner, and placed next to cells where terrorists were once housed. He claimed the rule of keeping a prisoner in quarantine applied only for 14 days, or in case of violations inside the prison for up to 60 days. “Darshan is being subjected to restrictions not found anywhere in law. Even convicted rapist Umesh Reddy has a room with a colour TV, while VIP prisoners get special facilities. Only Darshan is being singled out,” he argued.
The SPP maintained that a quarantine cell was part of the prison system and the administration was empowered to allocate any cell depending on security concerns. He said Darshan, as an undertrial, could be lodged in any cell. “He has earlier misused facilities. Considering the risks, a separate cell is justified. The authorities are within their rights under the rules,” he said.
After hearing both sides, the court reserved its order for October 9.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
