Bengaluru: In a significant relief to Kannada film star Darshan Thogudeepa, a Bengaluru court has dismissed the authorities’ request to transfer him from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to Ballari. Darshan is currently lodged in judicial custody in connection with the sensational Renukaswamy murder case.
Court dismisses transfer request
On Tuesday, the Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge rejected the application filed on August 16 by the chief superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison. The prison authorities had sought Darshan’s transfer citing security and administrative concerns.
Darshan, however, opposed the move, contending that the transfer would adversely affect his right to defend himself in the ongoing trial. He argued that as an undertrial prisoner, any such transfer would amount to punitive action without legal justification. He also maintained that the authorities’ apprehensions were “imaginary,” pointing out that he was already confined to the prison’s quarantine centre.
Background of the case
Renukaswamy, a medical shop employee from Chitradurga, was found dead in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya police station limits on June 9, 2024. Darshan, his close associate Pavithra Gowda, and several others were arrested two days later.
The police filed a charge sheet against 17 accused persons under multiple IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy, abduction, extortion, assault, murder, destruction of evidence, and unlawful assembly. While the Karnataka High Court granted bail to the accused in December 2024, the Supreme Court later cancelled Darshan’s bail. He was re-arrested on August 14 and remanded to judicial custody.
Darshan’s grievances in prison
Apart from objecting to his transfer, Darshan filed an application seeking minimum facilities inside the jail. He alleged that he was not being provided with basic necessities such as clothing and bedding, as mandated under the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual, 2021.
The actor also claimed that he was denied a blanket despite cold weather and was not permitted to receive a wrist brace from his family, even though he had undergone surgery on his right wrist and continued to suffer pain.
Appearing before the court via video conference, Darshan complained that jail authorities were not even allowing him to walk within the prison premises. At one stage, he emotionally remarked that he would rather be given poison, prompting the court to reprimand him for the statement.
Court grants basic facilities
The court considered his plea and directed the prison authorities to provide Darshan and other accused persons with minimum prescribed amenities, but no additional privileges.
“Jail authorities are directed to treat Accused No. 2 (Darshan), 6, 7, 11 and 12 with minimum dignity as provided under the Constitution and also allow them to walk inside the jail premises in accordance with law,” the order stated.
The judge emphasised that prisoners must be treated with dignity but clarified that the facilities extended should not exceed what is permitted by the rules. Intimations of the order were also issued to the Director General of Prisons and the chief superintendent of Central Jail, Bengaluru.
Conclusion
With the court’s rejection of the transfer request and its order for minimum facilities, Darshan will continue to remain in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara prison during the trial. While his legal battle in the Renukaswamy murder case continues, the court has reinforced both the rights of undertrial prisoners and the limitations placed on special privileges.