Ballari clash: BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy files counter-complaints, names Congress MLA Bharath Reddy; 23 detained

BALLARI: A day after being named as an accused in an FIR linked to clashes during the unveiling of Valmiki Maharishi's statue at SP Circle, BJP MLA from Gangavathi, G Janardhana Reddy and his manager Nagaraj Saturday filed complaints against 23 people, including Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy.

In his complaint lodged at Bruce Pete police station, Janardhana Reddy accused Bharath Reddy's close associates — Satish Reddy, C Shekhar, Lokesh and Gangadhar — of trespassing into his house, attempting to assault him and hurling caste-based abuses. Nagaraj filed a separate complaint in which Bharath Reddy was named as the third accused, while he is listed as the fifth accused in Janardhana Reddy's complaint.


One FIR names 41 accused and the second lists 23. Those booked include MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, his father Suryanarayana Reddy, his uncle Pratap Reddy and several associates.

Janardhana Reddy alleged that on the evening of Jan 1, a large crowd gathered outside his residence, arrived armed, and that private bodyguards opened fire. He claimed stones, chilli powder, bottles and petrol bombs were thrown and said police failed to disperse the crowd until midnight.

Four cases have been registered — three based on complaints and one suo motu case by Ballari City DSP Chandrakanth Nanda Reddy. Police said 23 people have been detained, a special team has been formed to analyse video footage, and forensic examination confirmed that the 12mm bullet recovered from Rajashekar Reddy's body was fired from a single-barrelled weapon.

Zameer visits slain Congress worker's family, hands over Rs 25 lakh

Housing and Ballari district in-charge minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan Saturday visited the residence of Congress worker Rajashekar Reddy, who was killed during the banner-related violence and offered condolences to his family. During the visit, the minister personally handed over Rs 25 lakh as compensation. He said Rajashekar was the eldest son and the main support for the family, while his father runs a hotel.

Zameer said he, along with MLAs Nara Bharath Reddy and Ganesh, had extended immediate assistance. "Although we cannot restore the life that was lost, we will seek further support from the party and will construct a new home for the deceased's family under the slum board," he added.

Sreeramulu seeks action against DSP

Former BJP minister B Sreeramulu said suspended superintendent of police Pavan Nejjur should have been given an opportunity, stating that he was suspended within 24 hours of taking charge. He also alleged the violence involved goons from other states and accused DySP Nanda Reddy of deliberate negligence. He said the riot could have been prevented and argued the DSP should have been suspended instead of the SP.

On Shivakumar's "Republic of Ballari" jibe, Sriramulu alleged Congress MLAs were turning the district into a "Republic of Congress" and questioned why no action was taken against MLA Bharath Reddy. Janardhana Reddy accused the Congress of politicising the Valmiki statue unveiling and linked it to the Rs 187-crore Valmiki Corporation scam reported last year. The duo also demanded arrests of those responsible, suspension of the DSP, a high court judge or CBI probe.