After photo of ‘special treatment’ to Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa inside jail goes viral, 7 officials suspended

Based on the initial probe, authorities suspended Sharanabasava Amingadh, Prabhu Kandelwal, L S Tippeswami, Shrikant Talwar, Venkappa Kodti, Sampat Kumar, and Basappa.

On Saturday, officials of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) conducted a raid inside the prison but could not recover anything.

In the viral photo, Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is in jail in connection with the murder of Chitradurga resident Renukaswamy, Wilson Garden Naga, and others can be seen sitting on a lawn of the prison and smoking a cigarette with gangster J Nagaraj alias Wilson Garden Naga as he holds a cup in his hand. In the video, Darshan Thoogudeepa can be seen making a video call. The Indian Express could not independently verify the video and photo.

A prison official said that beedis and cigarettes are usually sold inside the premises but the coffee mug being held by the actor and the chairs seen in the photo are not provided by the jail. The mobile phone used to capture photos and Darshan speaking over a video call was a clear violation of rules and shows that there is special treatment, the officer said.