Ballari Police Detain Eight in Connection with Major House Fire at MLA's Wife's Property
In a significant development in Ballari, police authorities on Saturday detained eight individuals, comprising two adults and six minor boys, in connection with a devastating fire that erupted at a house owned by Aruna Janardhana Reddy, the wife of Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy. The incident occurred at the secured G-Square layout on Ballari-Belagallu Road, raising serious questions about security and safety protocols.
Social Media Reels Blamed for Igniting the Blaze
According to IGP P S Harsha, preliminary investigations have revealed that the fire broke out on Friday when a group of youths managed to access the rooftop of the house with the intention of shooting social media reels, videos, and photographs. Evidence supporting this claim was later discovered on the mobile phones of the detained persons, providing crucial leads in the case.
While the group was on the rooftop, two members allegedly lit a fire, which quickly spiraled out of control and escalated into a major blaze. The rapid spread of the flames resulted in extensive damage to the property, highlighting the dangers of such reckless activities.
Complaint and Investigation Details
A formal case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Rizwaan, the site engineer of G-Square layout. In his complaint, he alleged that 8-10 miscreants deliberately set fire to the house, causing significant damage to furniture and equipment valued at approximately Rs 1.25 crore. Following this complaint, Ballari rural police conducted a thorough inspection of the premises to gather evidence and assess the extent of the destruction.
A team from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) visited the site on Saturday to collect inputs from local police and analyze the scene. Additionally, Ballari SP Dr Suman D Pennekar personally visited the charred house to oversee the investigation and ensure a comprehensive approach to the case.
Identities of the Detained Adults
The two adults who have been detained have been identified as Sohail alias Sahil, an 18-year-old boutique worker from Tailor Street in Cowl Bazaar, and Asthan alias Suresh, a 32-year-old who runs a fancy store in the same locality. The IGP noted that the statements of the detained persons were consistent with the material evidence collected so far, strengthening the case against them.
In a concerning revelation, the SP pointed out that there was neither any security arrangement nor CCTV surveillance at the site, which may have facilitated the unauthorized access and subsequent fire incident.
Political Fallout and Accusations
Meanwhile, the fire incident has reignited a political slugfest in the region, with opposition BJP pointing fingers at Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy and his party associates, alleging their involvement in the incident. On the other hand, the Congress party has claimed that BJP members, under directives from Janardhana Reddy and Sriramulu, were responsible for setting fire to the house, which had been lying unused for the past few years.
This exchange of accusations underscores the heightened political tensions surrounding the case, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of irresponsible behavior, especially in the age of social media, where the pursuit of online content can lead to real-world disasters. Authorities continue to investigate the matter, with a focus on ensuring justice and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
