'Biryani' not served to actor Darshan at police station: K'taka Home Minister

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday denied reports of serving 'Biriyani' to actor Darshan and co-accused at a police station here. 

He said Darshan, who is accused of murdering his fan, is being given similar treatment as given to any other accused, adding that neither 'Biryani' was served nor special facilities were being provided to him.

"I will instruct the police to take necessary measures in the interest of the public, but we should also let them investigate freely. Police can't offer Biryani and royal treatment to the accused. It is not done and it should not be done," Parameshwara said.

"On hearing such (complaints) from you (media), I inquired. They (police) said, no such facilities are being given and it will not be done. How other accused are treated, he (Darshan) is also treated in the same way. There is no mercy... They (police) should be given a free hand. I have also inquired with the (Bengaluru Police) Commissioner," the Minister said.

He was responding to a question on reports of police causing inconvenience to the public near Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where Darshan is held, by restricting the movement of people nearby by blocking roads, and not allowing even school vans and ambulances to pass by.

When pointed out that other complainants and those coming for passport verification are facing inconvenience in going to the police station, the Minister said he would instruct the police to take necessary measures in this regard.

The Case

Darshan, popularly known as "Challenging Star", and his associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.

Renukaswamy, a resident of the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a friend of Darshan and small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife. He also allegedly used "indecent language" and posted offensive messages, according to police sources.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within a 200-metre radius of the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where the suspects are being held and questioned, prohibiting public gathering. PTI