Bengaluru, Sep 25 (NationPress) Imprisoned actor Darshan expressed his concerns before the trial court in Bengaluru on Thursday regarding the substandard jail conditions at the Bengaluru Central Prison, despite previous court orders aimed at addressing this issue. The judge postponed the hearing until October 9 and summoned the Jail Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison for a personal appearance.

During the video conference, while discussing Darshan's petition asserting that court orders concerning jail facilities had been disregarded, the judge inquired if the directives had been adhered to.

Darshan asserted that none of the court’s orders had been acted upon by the prison officials, stating that he is restricted to a small area of only 25x3 feet without sunlight. His lawyer, Sunil, further claimed that Darshan is still confined in the quarantine cell and requested the court to facilitate his transfer to the general cell.

Advocate Sunil also accused the prison authorities of imposing a “goondaraj” regarding the provision of facilities for Darshan.

On September 9, the trial court, which is handling the high-profile fan murder case, directed the Bengaluru Central Prison authorities to provide the requested amenities to the accused actor, as outlined in the prison manual, while dismissing the request to relocate him to Ballary prison.

The court allowed Darshan to take walks within the prison premises and granted him access to a bed, bedsheets, and a pillow.

However, the court cautioned that if the prison manual is breached by Darshan or any other accused, the Inspector General of Prisons may initiate appropriate actions. It noted that there were no valid reasons for transferring Darshan to Ballary prison.

The court further reinforced that the rights of prisoners must be upheld. The additional provisions like a bed and pillow were approved as conditional relief, and the transfer to Ballary has been dismissed for the time being. Nonetheless, any indiscipline from Darshan could lead to a transfer as a disciplinary measure.

Previously, Darshan had addressed the court, requesting poison, citing severe hardships faced during his imprisonment. This plea followed his appearance before the trial court via video conference.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, with all accused present through video conferencing, Darshan raised his hand, expressing a critical matter to the court. “It has been over a month since I last saw sunlight, and my hands are suffering from fungus. Therefore, please order to provide me poison in court,” he tearfully requested.

Specifically, he asked the judge to provide poison solely for him and not for any other accused, emphasizing that he can no longer endure such conditions.

The Supreme Court reversed the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that had granted the actor bail.

A bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan scrutinized the High Court’s decision, commenting that it had ruled on bail as if determining guilt or innocence.

The bench questioned if the High Court issues such orders in other cases too, adding that they would not “repeat such a mistake.”

The Supreme Court also indicated that there was prima facie evidence of misuse of judicial power in this case. While a lower court judge might make errors, it is unacceptable for a High Court judge to do so, they remarked.

This case involves the murder of Renukaswamy, whose body was discovered on a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9, 2024.

Renukaswamy, aged 33, was a fan of Darshan, and it is alleged that he was kidnapped and subsequently murdered at Darshan’s instigation, as he had been harassing Darshan’s female friend, Pavitra Gowda.