Bengaluru: The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court in Bengaluru on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of jailed Kannada actor Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others until September 30. Darshan and the others are charged with kidnapping and brutally murdering a fan. The court has also directed the Ballary Jail authorities to allow Darshan to meet his family and friends.
The court also asked the authorities to provide him with required facilities adhering to the prison rules. The prosecution produced all the accused, including Darshan, before the court via video conference. The investigating officers submitted technical evidence against Darshan and the other accused.
Darshan’s counsel informed the court that Darshan is suffering from back pain and that prison authorities have not provided him with a chair. Additionally, the counsel stated that prison authorities are not allowing family and friends to visit Darshan at Ballari Prison. In response, the court ordered the authorities to allow Darshan’s family and friends to visit him.
Darshan’s counsel argued: “How can the prison authorities make rules without court permission? Is it wrong for Darshan to meet his family and friends? No one is being allowed to meet him. He is not accused under the Karnataka Control of Organized Crimes Act (KCOCA); he is merely accused in a murder case. How can he be denied the provision of a chair?” The court directed Ballari Jail authorities to provide.