Gali Janardhana Reddy Flags Delay in Arrests of Bharath Reddy, Sathish Reddy

Ballari: Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over what he termed a delay in the arrest of Ballari City MLA Bharath Reddy and his close aide Sathish Reddy in connection with the clashes, firing incident and the death of Congress worker Rajashekhar Reddy.

Speaking to reporters, Janardhana Reddy said the police should have arrested Bharath Reddy and Sathish Reddy by now but were instead “indulging in timepass.”

He said that on January 6, he had filed a complaint against ASP Ravikumar, DySP Nandareddy, and MLA Bharath Reddy, accusing them of collusion and conspiracy. “However, the police have merely issued an endorsement stating that my complaint would be added to an earlier one,” he said.

“I have responded, stating clearly that justice can be done only by registering a separate FIR. I have written to them that the endorsement, in my view, is not in accordance with law and procedure,” he said.

Janardhana Reddy alleged that the accusations in his latest complaint were specifically against certain police officials, whom he accused of conspiring and playing an active role in the incident as part of a larger plot. “I have requested the police to register a separate FIR and do justice to me,” he said.

Warning of legal action, he said he would approach the court and file a private complaint if the FIR was not registered.

Alleging police inaction, Janardhana Reddy said that after the afternoon incident related to banners near his residence, the police had taken steps to remove them. “However, at around 7.30 pm, Sathish Reddy and his associates arrived, allegedly throwing bottles and stones and opening fire. The police should have stopped them before they reached my house,” he alleged.

He further claimed that even later, Bharath Reddy was allowed to come close to his residence without being stopped by the police.

Janardhana Reddy said that after the first clash, the SP and IGP had visited his house and agreed that the Congress side was at fault and asked him to be inside the house.

He said that a massive rally and protest would be organised in the city condemning the incident. “The case must be probed either by the CBI or under the supervision of a High Court judge. The date for the agitation will be announced in a day or two, and senior state leaders will also participate,” he said.