Ballari Clash Will Not be Handed Over to CBI, Asserts Home Minister

BENGALURU: With regard to clash between the supporters of former minister and MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, a couple of days back which led to the death of a person in a firing incident in Ballari city, Minister of Home Dr G. Parameshwar on Thursday ruled out handing the case to the sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and pointed out to a cabinet decision of the State Government that no cases will be referred to CBI from the State.

Over the clash in Ballari city, Union minister of Large Scale Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy demanded transfer of the case to CBI and wanted Home Minister Parameshwar to stop speaking like a "fake saint" regarding the Ballari clash. Kumaraswamy stated the Ballari clash as serious in nature which he felt needed an investigation by CBI sleuths.

However, Parameshwar, reacting to Kumaraswamy's demand, exuded confidence in the State police to investigate the Ballari clash. “If a situation arises that State police are incapable of handling the clash, then, it would be appropriate to comment,” he said.

A couple of days back, a clash occurred between the supporters of Gali Janardhan Reddy and Nara Bharath Reddy over placing banners for a programme to unveil a statue of Valmiki Maharshi at SP Circle of Ballari city.

It is said security personnel guarding the residence of Gali Janardhan Reddy in Ballari city on Siraguppa road objected to banners near the residence which led to the clash between supporters of Gali Janardhan Reddy and Nara Bharath Reddy. Gali Janardhan Reddy owns a house in Ballari city and represents Gangavathi Assembly seat in neighbouring Koppal district.

The clash between supporters of Gali Janardhan Reddy and Nara Bharath Reddy led to firing which is currently under investigation by the police and the firing claimed the life of a Congress worker Rajashekar.