Bengaluru: An undated photograph from inside the Bengaluru prison went viral on Sunday, showing jailed Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa smoking a cigarette and sipping a cuppa.
Darshan, along with his 16 associates, have been in judicial custody since June 22 for the murder of Renukaswamy, 34, a native of Chitradurga.
Darshan is alleged to have plotted and executed Renukuswamy's murder after he reportedly sent obscene messages to the actor's female friend, Pavithra Gowda.
Police say the investigation into the sensational murder case is in the final stages and a charge sheet will soon be submitted to the court.
The viral photograph accessed by DH shows the actor sitting on the prison veranda in a plastic chair, puffing a cigarette and holding a cup in his hand.
The purported photograph said to be captured by another inmate also features notorious history-sheeter 'Wilson Garden' Naga, in a black t-shirt, Darshan’s manager Nagaraj, in a textured white t-shirt, and history-sheeter Srinivas alias Kulla Seena.
Naga, wanted in dozens of serious crimes, has been arrested under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA).
Meanwhile, a video of Darshan purportedly video-calling a fan has also gone viral. In the video, Darshan is purportedly seen waving from inside his prison cell.
DH couldn't independently verify if the photograph was authentic.
A top police officer confirmed to DH that an inquiry had been initiated into the matter to ascertain the authenticity of the claims.
Repeated calls to Malini Krishnamoorthy, Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), and Mallikarjun, the Chief Superintendent of Prison, went unanswered.
The photograph and the video came to the fore a day after a raid was held inside the prison by the Central Crime Branch (CCB). Crime branch officers said the checks were routine and nothing significant was recovered.
Reacting to the photograph, Renukaswamy’s father expressed concern over the ongoing investigation.
"We trust the police but when we see this, we feel a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry may be needed," said a distraught Kashinath S Shivanagowdru from Chitradurga. "Let there be a thorough investigation into this."