Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy has launched a scathing attack on the state government and police, expressing deep dissatisfaction over the delayed arrest of Ballari City MLA Bharath Reddy and his associate Sathish Reddy. The duo is implicated in a violent clash and a shooting incident that led to the death of a Congress worker.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering and Police Inaction
Addressing a press conference at his residence on Friday, Janardhana Reddy presented a series of grave allegations. He claimed there is a concerted effort to dilute the case related to the killing of Congress worker Rajashekhar Reddy during the Banner clash. "The bullet that killed Rajashekhar Reddy was fired by the gunman of MLA Bharath Reddy and Sathish Reddy," he stated emphatically.
Reddy revealed that he had shared video evidence with the police to support his claims. He also released another video which, according to him, highlights attempts to conceal the funeral proceedings. He accused the authorities of not taking the case seriously and failing to apprehend the suspects despite the evidence.
Suspicious Funeral and Cremation Details
Delving into what he called suspicious activities, Janardhana Reddy described unusual events during the funeral. He alleged that an individual named Raghu contacted Somu, the person overseeing the crematorium, and instructed him to open the pit where the body was interred. Police later arrived and documented the scene with photos and videos.
"Eventually, Rajashekar Reddy's body was cremated using electric means, without using wood," Reddy claimed. He asserted that this was orchestrated by MLA Bharath Reddy and his associates to ensure no forensic evidence related to the murder could be discovered.
Formal Complaint and Threat of Legal Action
Janardhana Reddy informed the media that he had lodged a formal complaint on January 6 against ASP Ravikumar, DSP Nandareddy, and MLA Bharath Reddy, accusing them of collusion and conspiracy. However, he expressed frustration with the police response. "The police only provided an endorsement indicating that my complaint will be appended to a previous one," he remarked, calling this procedure legally unsound.
He warned that if a separate First Information Report (FIR) is not registered based on his complaint, he will seek court intervention and file a private complaint. Expressing little faith in the ongoing police and CID investigation, which he believes is influenced by the government backing MLA Bharath Reddy, he demanded that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough and impartial probe.
Plans for Mass Protest and Rally
In a significant escalation, Janardhana Reddy announced plans to organize a large rally and protest in Ballari city to denounce the incident and demand justice. "The date for the demonstration will be revealed in a day or two, and prominent state leaders will also take part," he noted, signaling a potential major political movement. Former MLA Somasekhar Reddy was present at the press conference, lending support to the allegations.
Reddy concluded by reiterating that the gunfire during the altercation was not accidental but a deliberate act, and he called for the immediate arrest of MLA Bharath Reddy and Satish Reddy to ensure justice for the slain Congress worker.
