Probe on over 'special treatment' to actor Darshan in Bengaluru prison; inmates, officials grilled
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Friday said that the activities of the Parappana Agrahara Central prison here are being investigated, with a number of inmates and officials being questioned, after it came to light that some inmates, such as actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, were being accorded "special treatment".
A photograph of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the Bengaluru jail went viral on Sunday, sparking an uproar.
In the picture, the actor is seen in a relaxed mood, sitting on a chair and holding a cigarette and a coffee mug. Also, a purported video of Darshan speaking to a person over a video call from the prison too has surfaced on social media.
"In Parappana Agrahara police station, three cases have been registered regarding various illegalities that have happened at the Parappana Agrahara central prison. Two cases have been booked on inmates there, while the third case is against the prison officials," Dayananda said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said all three cases are being probed by the Bengaluru South-East division police. While the case against prison officials is being probed by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) rank official, the other two are being probed by inspector rank officials.
The commissioner said that court permission has been taken to conduct an investigation inside the prison and that the probe has been on for the past two days. "One more photo has emerged from the prison and information regarding it is being gathered and it has been clubbed with the ongoing probe."
The probe is being led by the South-East division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sarah Fathima and it is being supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police Raman Gupta," he further said, adding that "Investigation is going on and many inmates and officials have been subjected to inquiry...if anyone gives specific information regarding any other illegalities that have occurred at the prison, we will take merciless and strict action."
Nine prison officials, including the chief superintendent of Parappana Agrahara jail, were suspended on Monday over their "lapses" after a preliminary probe into the "special treatment" given to Darshan.
Three FIRs were registered, including against Darshan, under sections of the Prisons Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court here on Tuesday granted permission to move Darshan to a jail in Ballari, after the uproar over the photograph.
Darshan was on Thursday shifted from Parappana Agrahara Central prison here to a jail in Ballari amid tight security.
The court has also permitted shifting of other co-accused in the murder case to various prisons in the state, and a few of them were relocated on Thursday, while the process is on for the remaining others, official sources said.
A Bengaluru court on Wednesday extended till September 9 the judicial custody of Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case.
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
