A case has been registered against BJP MLA G. Janardhana Reddy and ten others following a clash between supporters of the ruling Congress and the BJP in Ballari city over the installation of banners on Thursday evening. Police said security has been stepped up in the city and the situation is currently under control.
The FIR was filed in the early hours of Friday based on a complaint lodged by Chanal Shekhar, an associate of Ballari City MLA N. Bharath Reddy. Janardhana Reddy has been listed as the first accused in the case. Former MLA G. Somashekara Reddy is named as the second accused, MLA and former minister B. Sriramulu as the third, and Srinivas Motkar, Leader of the Opposition in the Ballari City Corporation, as the fourth accused. In total, 11 individuals have been booked.
According to the complaint, banners were being put up in Ballari ahead of a programme to unveil a statue of Valmiki at Valmiki Circle. Sathish Reddy, an aide of Bharath Reddy, objected after Janardhana Reddy and others allegedly removed banners placed near the BJP leader’s residence on Siruguppa Road. It was alleged that Janardhana Reddy, Somashekara Reddy and their supporters intentionally tore down the banners, engaged in an argument with Sathish Reddy and his gunman Basavaraj, and later assaulted them. The complaint also stated that police officer Srinivas sustained injuries during the incident. Based on this, the Brucepet police registered the FIR.
Security stepped up
Meanwhile, police intensified security arrangements across Ballari, though officials said the situation remained peaceful on Friday. One person reportedly lost his life during Thursday’s violence. “The situation was brought under control, and additional forces have been deployed. All necessary precautions have been taken to prevent any further incidents,” a senior police officer told reporters.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed a private gunman firing shots into the air amid heightened tension. The clash took place ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling scheduled for Saturday. Police said supporters of Bharath Reddy were attempting to install banners near Janardhana Reddy’s residence in the Avambhavi area, which was opposed by the latter’s supporters, triggering a confrontation. What began as a verbal dispute soon turned violent, with supporters from both sides allegedly pelting stones.
Police personnel who intervened were also reportedly targeted with stones. Several people sustained injuries, and police said the exact number and identities were being verified. As tensions escalated, police resorted to a lathi charge and fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order. Investigations are ongoing to determine the sequence of events and verify the claims made in the complaint.