Bengaluru
The Karnataka government is mulling handing over the probe into the recent violent clashes in Ballari, in which one person was killed, to the CID, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Sunday.
The clashes were triggered by a dispute over tying a banner near BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy’s residence and violence broke broke out between the supporters of the BJP legislator and Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy on January 1. A Congress worker was killed.
The incident involved firing, raising questions over the use of private firearms.
“I had said this before, the guns of the gunmen hired for private security have been seized. Now the ballistic expert’s report will reveal from which gun it was fired. I have told the Forensic Science Laboratory officials to give an investigation report. The process is on. The ADGP had told me that the firing didn’t happen with a police gun,” Parameshwara told reporters.
When asked whether the case would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or a special investigation team (SIT), the Home Minister said the option was under consideration. “We are also mulling it. There are possibilities of giving the matter to the CID. I will speak to CM Siddaramaiah. If need be then we will do it,” he said.
Responding to the BJP’s announcement on taking out a march to Ballari, Parameshwara said, “It’s not a big thing to take out a march but taking action is important, which the police will do.” He said strict action would follow if the involvement of private gunmen was established.
26 arrested in Ballari banner clash case
Police have arrested 26 people and filed 6 FIRs in connection with the violent clash that broke out on Thursday night in Ballari’s Havambavi area over a banner installation dispute, which led to the death of Congress worker Rajashekhar. The arrested accused have been identified as Karthik, Mukkal, Inayathulla, Raju, Mustafa, Srikanth, Muhammad Rasool, Babu, Venkatesh and Mabasha.
Brucepet police have taken the accused into custody and are preparing to produce them before the court. Investigation into the case is still underway.
Karandlaje accuses govt of hiding SP Pavan Nejjur’s ‘death note’
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje launched a sharp attack on the Karnataka government over the Ballari clash case, alleging that suspended Ballari SP Pavan Nejjur had written a “death note” before his reported suicide attempt and questioned why the government was suppressing it. Addressing the media at the BJP office, she accused the government of shielding Congress MLA Bharat Reddy and questioned why action had not been taken against him despite serious allegations.
Karandlaje also claimed that senior officials and political leaders influenced the suspension of the SP due to “bidding and political interference,” and demanded transparency on why Pavan was suspended and what was written in the alleged note. She further alleged widespread corruption, political pressure on officers, and breakdown of law and order in the state. She said honest officers were being demoralised and pushed into distress, calling on the government to provide clarity and justice.
