Ballari Group Clash: Two FIRs Name MLA Bharath Reddy, Aides over Attack Allegations

Ballari: Two FIRs have been registered by Brucepet police against over 60 persons, including Bellary City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and his close aide Sathish Reddy, following Thursday evening’s violence outside the residence of Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy, police said on Saturday.

The first FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy, naming 22 persons and private security personnel of Satish Reddy, alleging an armed attack, stone-pelting and firing near his residence.

The second FIR was filed on a complaint by Nagaraj, an employee of Janardhana Reddy, against 40 persons and four gun men of Sathish Reddy, alleging illegal trespass, assault, caste-based abuse and firing, and has been registered under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and relevant sections of the BNS.

Janardhana Reddy alleged that the group targeted him with intent to kill, with private gunmen firing bullets while others hurled stones, soda bottles, petrol bombs, and other dangerous objects. The FIR states that the bullets reportedly missed Janardhana Reddy but struck members of the crowd.

The FIR further alleges that around 8.30 pm, Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy arrived with supporters, further escalating the violence. Other individuals named in the FIR are accused of participating in the attack, throwing stones, petrol bombs, and other projectiles.

The incident reportedly caused injuries to several BJP workers, police personnel, and others.

Describing the attack as a direct threat to life and property, Janardhana Reddy urged the authorities to take immediate and strict legal action against those involved.

The FIR has named 22 persons and also private body guards of Satish Reddy and others. The FIR has been filed under BNS sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) & 191(3) (rioting), 115(2) (causing hurt), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 109 (attempt to murder), and 190 (offences committed in prosecution of a common object).

The second FIR based on the complaint filed by Nagaraj names 40 people and four gun men of Sathish Reddy. The FIR has been registered under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and BNS 109(1), 118(1), 127(8), 190, 252, 191(2), 189(2), 351(2), 324(4), 191(3), and 49.

In his complaint, Nagaraj alleged that on January 1 at around 2 pm, a group led by Lokesh, along with 15 to 20 others, forcibly entered the compound of Janardhana Reddy’s residence to put up banners. He claimed that despite being requested not to install banners inside the compound, the group allegedly trespassed and attempted to put them up forcibly.

According to the complaint, around 5.45 pm, Satish Reddy, Chanal Shekhar, Lokesh Havambavi, Gangadhara and 40 to 50 others allegedly gathered near Janardhana Reddy’s residence, acting on the instructions of Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, Nara Surya Narayana Reddy and Nara Pratap Reddy. The group was allegedly armed with firearms and other weapons.

Nagaraj alleged that Satish Reddy abused him using caste-based slurs after enquiring about his caste, assaulted him by slapping him twice and claimed that no one could prevent them from putting up banners inside the compound.

The complaint stated that around 7 pm, when Janardhana Reddy arrived at his residence and was speaking with former minister B Sriramulu, stones were allegedly pelted by the accused and their associates, leading to chaos in the area.

He also complained that private gunmen linked to Satish Reddy fired shots targeting Janardhana Reddy, while others allegedly hurled stones, soda bottles and petrol-filled containers.

Nagaraj alleged that the violence was the result of a criminal conspiracy involving Nara Bharath Reddy, Nara Pratap Reddy, Satish Reddy, Chanal Shekhar and Nara Surya Narayana Reddy, with the intent to murder Janardhana Reddy and his supporters.

Police said a case has been registered based on the complaint and are investigating the case.