After viral jail photo, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s jail video call clip sparks controversy

An undated photograph of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, showing him smoking a cigarette and chatting with three people inside the garden area of Parapana Agrahara Prison in Bengaluru while in judicial custody, went viral on social media Sunday.

Now, an undated video of him making a video call with another man has been doing the rounds on social media. Hindustan Times Kannada has accessed the video of Darshan Thoogudeepa.

The video begins with a man in a yellow t-shirt smiling at another man on a video call. The second man then walks away with his phone, pointing the camera away from his face and handing it over to someone else.

Meanwhile, Darshan comes on the screen and cheerfully waves his hand to greet the man. The man, through his gestures, asks Darshan if he has eaten.

A smiling Darshan Thoogudeepa nods in response as the duo exchange goodbyes and ends the call. The viral video clip, which runs for 25 seconds, showed Darshan sitting in a brightly lit room. Behind him, a large curtain covers the wall, and a few clothes hang on hooks.

On August 25, 2024, a photo of the Kannada actor seated on a lawn chair next to three men, including gangster Wilson Garden Naga and his manager, emerged.

Why is Darshan Thoogudeepa in jail?

Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend, actor Pavithra Gowda, are among the 16 people who are currently in judicial custody in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga district in Karnataka.

Renukaswamy, 33, had reportedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, after which Darshan Thoogudeepa allegedly plotted and executed his murder. Renukaswamy's body was found near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru's Sumanahalli on June 9.

Since the video was released, netizens and local BJP politicians have raised concerns over the actor and his aides getting special facilities inside the jail.

A top police official confirmed to the Deccan Herald that jail authorities have initiated an internal inquiry into the matter.

Renukaswamy's father, Shivanagouder, demanded a CBI probe and punishment for those responsible after the photo went viral on social media. The father said, “Jail should be a jail and should not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he seems to be sitting in a resort,” reported NDTV.