Special treatment in jail for Darshan and Rowdy Naga: Police probe reveals bribe deal

Bengaluru: An investigation by the Southeast Division police has uncovered that jail authorities and staff at Parappana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru provided special treatment to actor Darshan and notorious rowdy sheeter Wilson Garden Naga, who were both in jail for criminal cases.

The special privileges were allegedly arranged for a bribe deal worth Rs 6-8 lakh. The Southeast police have prepared a report and are expected to submit it to the city police commissioner in a few days.

The investigation, led by DCP Sarah Fatima and her special team, found that over 10 jail officials and staff, ranging from the then-chief superintendent to wardens, were involved in the bribery deal. Wilson Garden Naga and his associates reportedly paid the bribe to ensure special hospitality for themselves and Darshan.

When Darshan entered the jail, there was a competition among the rowdy sheeters, including Naga, to provide him with special treatment.

Naga’s associates reportedly arranged for tea and cigarettes within the jail compound for Darshan. Darshan joined Naga, his manager Nagaraj, and rowdy Kulla Seena for tea and cigarettes in the compound. However, Darshan claimed he was unaware of the bribe deal and had no knowledge of the special arrangement. He mentioned that when Naga’s men invited him to meet their “boss,” Naga, he asked a warden who allowed him to go. He insisted that he had no further details.

The investigation also revealed that, during the incident, a viral photograph showed Darshan sitting with a cigarette in one hand and a cup of tea in the other while talking with Wilson Garden Naga, Kulla Seena, and Nagaraj. Another video of Darshan having a video call with rowdy sheeter Janardhan’s son, Satya, facilitated by rowdy Dharm, also went viral.

These visuals triggered three separate FIRs—one each against Darshan and Naga, and three more against jail officials involved in granting the special treatment.