Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against Convict Who Was Seen Sitting With Actor Darshan In Prison Chewing Tobacco

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed all further investigations against one convict Shrinivas who was recently spotted sitting along with Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa inside the prison and chewing tobacco, while Darshan is seen smoking and drinking coffee.

A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna by way of interim order stayed the proceedings. The police had registered a case against Darshan and others under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022 after the pictures went viral on social media.

Senior Advocate Sandesh J Chouta appearing for the petitioner argued that no case is made out and only because photographs of Actor Darshan went viral the present case is registered. The prosecution opposed the plea and said it will have to inquire about the offence.

The court on going through the records said “You have created a problem in all that, you have shifted everybody just because everything has happened and become viral.”

The court in its order noted Rule 25 (4) of the Karnataka Prison Rules deals with cautioning bringing of prohibited articles within prison which enumerates several prohibited articles including pan-parag, alcohol, arms, acid, drugs and several other items. The petitioner is said to have been chewing tobacco.

Rule 218 prohibits all kind of smoking in prison. Court said “The Prison manual which deals with prison offences, smoking is not an offence if done in identified smoking zones. Therefore the Rule 218, runs contrary to what prison offences would indicate. For the act of others, the petitioner who is already a convict in another crime is registered.”

Appearance: Senior Advocate Sandesh J Chouta for Petitioner.

Case Title: Shrinivas And State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: CRL.P 9933/2024