Police given free hand in murder case probe involving actor Darshan: Home Minister G Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said police have been given a free hand and action will be taken in accordance with law against popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associates who were arrested in connection with a murder case.
He said the police will probe and decide whether Darshan is a "habitual offender," adding that they will accordingly invoke legal sections and take action.
"He (Darshan) was brought (from Mysuru to Bengaluru) on the information about his involvement in the murder and has been arrested, inquiry is on. Based on what comes from the inquiry, action will be taken. Law is equal for everyone whether it is Darshan or Parameshwara. So no one should take law into their hands," Parameshwara told reporters here.
Darshan, popularly known as "Challenging Star", and 12 of his close associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.
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Renukaswamy, a resident of district headquarters town of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Darshan and small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife. He also allegedly used "indecent language" and posted offensive messages, according to police sources.
Parameshwara said: "If Renukaswamy had posted something on social media about his female friend, he could have given a complaint, and police would have acted immediately. The information is, he (Renukaswamy) was brought (to Bengaluru from Chitradurga), beaten and has been killed, it could have been avoided."
"Now the incident has happened, a life has gone, and no one can do anything. But whatever action needs to be taken against the culprits in accordance with law, the police will do it," he added.
To a question that Darshan had through influential politicians attempted to save himself, the Minister said, as far as he knows, no one has tried to influence, and action will be taken in the case, in accordance with law.
"No one from the government will interfere. Police have been given a free hand, and they will take whatever action they have to in accordance with law," he said.
Asked as to how the government will stand by Renukaswamy's family, Parameshwara said he will speak to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard.
In response to a question, he said every case need not be given to the CBI for probe. 13 people have been arrested, and those involved in the case are known. "There is no need to give the case to another agency."
"Police will probe whether he is a habitual offender...what they (police) will recommend after the probe in their report, is to be seen, police have a free hand, they are free to invoke sections and they have opportunity themselves to do it, they need not ask us to do it," he said, when asked whether rowdy sheet will be opened against Darshan.
In 2011, Darshan was arrested by police for allegedly assaulting his wife and threatening her. He was later released on bail and the couple subsequently resolved the issue and she withdrew the case against him.
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Telangana CM urges Amit Shah to increase sanctioned strength of IPS officers in state
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday night and urged him to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state in view of its growing administrative and security needs.
The two leaders also discussed the recent surrender of several senior Maoist leaders before the Telangana Police and other issues.
"During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the issue of Maoist surrenders and their rehabilitation. The chief minister informed Shah that significant improvements in policing have taken place in Telangana over the past two years," an official release here said.
Highlighting that 591 Maoists have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society during this period, the chief minister said the state government was providing them compensation and rehabilitation assistance as per the rules.
He requested the Union home minister to extend financial support from the central government for development works in the backward regions of the state.
Reddy also urged Shah to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state from 83 to 105 in line with the state's growing administrative and security needs, the statement said.
The first cadre review after the formation of Telangana was conducted in 2016, while the next review, due in 2021, was delayed and finally carried out in 2025. Even then, only seven additional IPS officers were allocated to the state, the chief minister informed Shah and requested that the third cadre review be conducted in 2026 as per the schedule.
Reddy explained that Telangana, like the rest of the country, is facing several modern challenges, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and other emerging security threats.
He highlighted the reorganisation of the Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri Police Commissionerates, the proposed formation of the Future City Commissionerate and the rapidly growing population in Hyderabad to underline the increasing administrative requirements of the state.
