Gali Janardhan Reddy Displays Video, Alleges Close-Range Firing Killed Congress Worker

Ballari: Displaying a video footage, Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy on Wednesday alleged that a private gunman accompanying Ballari City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, fired at close range at the back of Congress worker Rajasekhar Reddy, leading to his death on January 1.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Reddy gave details about the clash and said there were two separate incidents on the night of the violence.

“The first incident occurred between 7 pm and 7.30 pm, when Sathish Reddy arrived along with private gunmen and created a commotion. Stones and bottles were pelted and firing took place, including in the air and in my direction,” he alleged.

He claimed that the second incident took place around 9 pm, when Bharath Reddy arrived along with his supporters and the same private security personnel near his house. “There are video clippings showing the same four gunmen accompanying him. It was during this time that firing took place and Rajasekhar was killed,” he said.

Referring to the video, Reddy claimed it clearly showed Rajasekhar holding a bottle and attempting to throw it towards his house when police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. “Rajasekhar then turned around and started running to escape the lathi charge. At that moment, the private gunman opened fire from behind. There was no one in between. Rajasekhar died on the spot,” he alleged, adding that Congress leaders had earlier claimed the death was due to a misfire.

“The gunman fired directly. Rajasekhar was a close associate of Bharath Reddy and was well known to the gunman,” he claimed.

Alleging that the firing was intentional, Reddy said, “They wanted to kill someone and create unrest by committing murder. The firing was from a distance of four to five feet and was not accidental or a misfire. It was intentional.”

Meanwhile, former minister B Sriramulu and Gali Janardhan Reddy demanded the immediate arrest of Bharath Reddy as the incident occurred in his presence. They also demanded handing over the case to CBI.