In a dramatic turn of events, Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur was suspended merely twenty-four hours after assuming his new post. The action follows a violent clash outside the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA G Janardhana Reddy, which resulted in the death of a Congress party worker.
CM Orders Probe Into Fatal Violence
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. Four First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the violence. Those named in the complaints include BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy and former minister B Sriramulu.
The suspension of SP Pavan Nejjur was based on a report submitted by R Hitendra, the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order). The report stated that Nejjur failed to manage the situation effectively and did not properly brief his senior officers about the escalating tensions.
How the Clash Erupted and Escalated
The victim has been identified as Rajashekhar Reddy, a worker for the Congress party. The fatal confrontation occurred on Thursday night between supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and those of Gangavathi MLA G Janardhana Reddy, right outside the latter's house.
The initial spark for the tension came when Janardhana Reddy's supporters objected to the erection of banners for an event scheduled for January 3. The event was meant for the installation of a statue of Maharishi Valmiki. A verbal argument quickly spiraled into physical assaults, stone-pelting, and eventually gunfire. Police officials stated they had to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the unruly crowd.
Forensic Analysis and Political Allegations
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara indicated that preliminary findings suggest the bullet that killed Rajashekhar Reddy was fired from a private weapon, not a police firearm. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is analyzing the collected evidence, which includes CCTV footage from the area.
ADGP Hitendra added, "We have seized five guns so far and are probing who had licences." He confirmed that an inquiry would also examine possible lapses by the police, and arrests would be made based on evidence from the CCTV footage.
Meanwhile, former minister B Sriramulu, who is among those booked by the police, alleged a conspiracy. He claimed there was an attempt on Janardhana Reddy's life, asking, "Who permitted a banner on the road leading to the MLA's house and shots being fired at him? A .76 mm bullet was fired. They had petrol bombs ready."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media, emphasized the need to identify the source of the fatal shot: "We need to know from whose gun the bullet was fired. The bullet that was fired in the air hit Rajashekhar Reddy, killing him. I have asked for a report."
