BENGALURU: A day after a photograph of actor Darshan and his gang smoking a cigarette with a coffee mug in his hand inside the central jail premises at Parappana Agrahara went viral on social media, Home Minister G Parameshwara said seven jail officials have been suspended. A probe has also been initiated into the episode, he added.
The suspended officials are Jailors Sharanabasappa Amingad and Prabhu S Khandelwal, Assistant Jailors L S Thippeswamy and Srikanth Talwar, Head Warders Venkatappa Korti and Sampathkumar Kadapatti and Warder Basappa Teli.
On Monday morning, City Police Commissioner B Dayananda and ADGP (Law and Order) Hitendra met the Home Minister and briefed him. Parameshwara had sought information on phone from Dayananda on Sunday night itself on how Darshan was allowed a luxurious lifestyle in jail.
“I came to know about the issue around 4.30 pm on Sunday and I immediately issued instructions to DGP-Prisons to launch a probe. The inquiry went on till 1 am on Sunday following which seven officials have been suspended. I have also sought a report on how this happened and issued instructions to ensure that such incidents do not recur. We will also shift the jail superintendent. All jails have jammers and cameras, but mobile use continues. This will also be probed”, he said.
Parameshwara said action will be taken against the suspended officials after a report is received. “The probe will look into how phones and cigarettes were allowed inside the jail despite 24-hour monitoring. Action will be taken against whoever is in the wrong and there is no question of going easy in this case. There is nothing for the government to be embarrassed and the law will take its course. We will also ensure that such instances do not recur”, he said.
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said he came to know about the VIP treatment being given to Darshan only through the media. “It is not the government’s intention to provide such treatment to any undertrial. They must have had some internal understanding. Because of some people, the government gets a bad name”, he said.
Regarding alleged pressure on the Home minister from some cabinet colleagues, Priyank Kharge said there should be no scope for speculation. “The law is the same for everyone and a probe is already under way. It’s well known how BJP lawmakers brought pressure. One has to consume water after having salt”, he said, quoting a Kannada proverb.