Can't Shift Undertrials From One Prison To Another At Whims And Fancies Of Prosecution: Karnataka HC In Murder Case Involving Actor Darshan

The Karnataka High Court ordered the transfer of an accused in the Renukaswamy murder case from Belagavi Central Prison to Bengaluru Central Prison. The court criticized the prosecution’s arbitrary decision to transfer undertrial prisoners without proper justification. The case involved Kannada actor Darshan Thoogdeep Srinivas, whose photographs with other prisoners went viral, prompting the transfer request. The court emphasized that shifting undertrial prisoners should not be done whimsically and must be based on cogent reasons. The ruling highlights the importance of fair treatment of undertrial prisoners and the need for judicial oversight in decisions affecting their incarceration conditions.