Jailed Kannada actor Darshan seen smoking, talking on video call inside Bengaluru jail

New Delhi, August 27

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in connection with a murder case was seen on a video call and earlier smoking a cigarette on an open lawn in a video that went viral on social media. 

Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda are among 17 people who were arrested in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.

The purported clip begins with a man in a yellow t-shirt warmly smiling at another man on a video call. As the call progresses, the second man, still holding the phone, steps away, redirecting the camera from his face. He hands the device to someone nearby, and moments later, Darshan's face pops up on the screen.

With a cheerful wave, Darshan greets the man. The man gestures towards his mouth, enquiring if the actor has eaten. Darshan, smiling, nods in response. 

Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old auto driver who was also a fan of the Kannada actor, was found near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9. He was kidnapped and murdered by a gang at the actor's instructions after he allegedly sent offensive messages on social media to actor Pavithra Gowda.