Darshan has been in custody at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara prison for over two months, facing charges in connection with the death of Renukaswamy, in which he is the second accused (A2).
The actor, dressed in a black branded T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sunglasses hanging from his neckline, arrived at Ballari prison around 10 am. The escort party had left Parappana Agrahara at around 4.30 am, taking the Chikkaballapur-Anantapur route to reach Ballari. Upon arrival, Darshan underwent a regular medical checkup and was declared fit before being moved to his cell.
Ballari Central Prison, which accommodates both individual cells and barracks, assigns inmates requiring isolation to cells, while others are housed in barracks. Like other inmates, Darshan was provided with a blanket, a bedsheet, a plate, a mug (chombu), and a glass. The cell includes a separate toilet.
Security within the prison has been heightened following Darshan's transfer. Sources told Deccan Chronicle that additional CCTV cameras have been installed, and prison staff attending to Darshan are equipped with body cameras. Reports suggest that Darshan did not eat any food upon his arrival at the prison in the morning.
Ballari Central Prison, with a capacity of 447 inmates, currently houses 385 prisoners.
Interestingly, Darshan had visited Ballari prison for the shooting of the movie Chowka where he played the cameo role of an inmate Robert. The movie was released in 2017. This time, however, he has returned not as an actor but as an undertrial.
As news of Darshan’s transfer spread, his fans gathered outside the prison and along the approach roads, hoping to catch a glimpse of the actor. Many fans were seen following the police vehicle, capturing videos and photos on their mobile phones. However, the escort party succeeded in evading the crowd and taking him to the prison.
To manage the crowds, additional police forces were deployed at key roads and junctions, particularly around Jail Road. Superintendent of Police Dr. Shobha Rani personally oversaw security arrangements, making multiple visits to the prison on Wednesday and Thursday to ensure everything was under control.
Despite the large gathering, police ensured that traffic flow in the area remained smooth.
The decision to transfer Darshan stems from allegations that he was receiving special treatment at Parappana Agrahara prison. Controversy erupted after a photograph of Darshan drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette, and a video of him engaging in a video call, went viral. In response, authorities transferred several individuals involved in the case to different prisons, with Darshan being relocated to Ballari.
"We have been waiting here since yesterday, hoping to see him, but the heavy police security has prevented us from catching even a glimpse," a fan from a nearby village told reporters.
Meanwhile, two other accused in the case, Pradosh and Dhanraj, were transferred to Belagavi and Dharwad prisons, respectively, where they have also been placed in isolation cells.
Prison regulations require authorities to confiscate all personal belongings upon an inmate’s arrival. However, Darshan’s sunglasses, seen hanging around his neck upon his arrival, have reportedly raised concerns among prison officials.
Police officials are also checking if the glasses hanging on darshan's neckline were sunglasses or tested glass.
