CM Siddaramaiah REACTS To Darshan's Viral Picture Smoking Inside Jail; Says, 'Officers Are Suspended And...'

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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah REACTS To Darshan's Viral Pic: After the picture of the murder accused, Kannada star actor Darshan Thoogudeepa surfaced online sparking a rage among the netizens and general public, Karnataka State's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted to the issue. Speaking to the media today (August 26), he said, "There is a lapse on the part of the officials concerned. We have suspended some senior officials regarding the same. The Home Minister was asked to visit and look into the matter."

In another development, a total of three FIRs have been lodged on Darshan after the picture and a video call of him were leaked and went viral on the internet.In connection with the event, the Karnataka Prisons department reportedly suspended as many as seven staffers and three officers including two jailers for allowing Darshan to smoke a cigarette and drink coffee inside the prison, ascertained the Home Minister G. Parameshwara.

The picture which caused outrage on social media featured Darshan along with other inmates (including Darshan's manager and a rowdy sheeter) with a cigarette in hand and coffee. The picture immediately drew immense flak and concern after it went viral. An inquiry was launched and DG of Prisons Malini Krishnamurthy spoke to the officers until 1 AM.

The Home Minister said, "This is a lapse and it should not have taken place. As the matter surfaced, the officers concerned were suspended and action was taken. All prisons are sensitised, jammers and CCTV cameras are there. Despite all this, the incident took place and swift action has been taken to avoid any such incident in the future."

He further added, "Parameshwara also added that there would be no mercy shown to anyone involved in the incident and a probe was also on to find out who took the photo and how there was a mobile phone inside the prison."