Kannada Actor Darshan’s Plea for Prison Transfer Rejected Amid Murder Case

In a recent hearing at Bengaluru’s 57th CCH court, Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa’s request to be transferred from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to Ballari jail was denied. Darshan, who is accused in the murder of Renukaswamy, appeared via video conference and expressed significant distress over his jail conditions.He told the judge, “I don’t want anything for anyone, please give me poison,” highlighting the severity of his situation. He further described not seeing sunlight for nearly a month and suffering from a fungal infection on his hands, stating that life in prison had become “unbearable.”

The court, however, was unsympathetic to his emotional plea. The judge reprimanded Darshan, stating, “You cannot say such things,” prompting the actor to fall silent. Darshan was arrested in June 2024 alongside 16 others, including his friend Pavithra Gowda, in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy, who allegedly sent inappropriate messages to Gowda. Despite the rejection of his transfer request, the court granted minor concessions, allowing him limited movement within the prison and additional bedding, such as pillows and bedsheets, in line with the prison manual.

The case has drawn significant attention due to Darshan’s prominence in the Kannada film industry and the gravity of the charges. The Indian Express also reported that the actor’s emotional outburst underscored the harsh realities of his confinement, though the court prioritized legal procedure over his complaints. The decision to keep Darshan in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison reflects the judiciary’s stance on maintaining consistency in his detention conditions as the murder case progresses. The next hearing date remains undisclosed, leaving Darshan and his co-accused to await further legal proceedings while in custody.