Senior police officials in Karnataka have issued strong denials against unconfirmed reports claiming that suspended Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur attempted suicide. The rumours emerged a day after his suspension following deadly political clashes in the district.
Official Denials and Clarifications
On Saturday, multiple high-ranking police authorities dismissed the speculation surrounding Nejjur's condition. Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed media queries, stating he had verified the officer's well-being with a senior IPS officer. "He confirmed Pavan was fine. He could have been in depression due to his suspension and other issues, but otherwise he's fine," Parameshwara said.
Mandya SP Dr. Shobharani VJ, a former Ballari SP and batchmate of Nejjur, provided specific details to quash the rumours. "This is merely a rumour. Pavan Nejjur is currently resting at our batchmate's farmhouse in Baragur village of Tumakuru district," she stated, adding she had personally spoken to him.
Ravikante Gowda, IGP of the Eastern Range in Davanagere, offered further context. He explained that due to stress, Nejjur was accustomed to taking pills to induce deep sleep, not to harm himself. Gowda confirmed the officer was staying with his family at a friend's farmhouse and was in a stable condition.
The Suspension and Preceding Violence
Nejjur's suspension on Friday came directly after violent clashes in Ballari on Thursday. Supporters of BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy were involved in the conflict, which resulted in the death of a Congress worker.
The state government suspended Nejjur, citing his failure to control the volatile situation and restore law and order. Sources close to Nejjur indicated he was deeply distressed by the action, as it came barely 24 hours after he assumed charge as Ballari SP. This posting was his first executive role after 11 years in the police department.
Political Backlash and Allegations
The suspension triggered a sharp reaction from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress government of making Nejjur a scapegoat for the Ballari violence and creating a hostile environment for officials.
"The SP had taken charge barely two hours before the incident occurred. It takes at least 15 to 20 days to understand a new district, but the government made him the scapegoat," Ashoka argued. He drew a parallel with the recent suspension of Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayanand after the IPL celebration stampede, calling the actions selective.
Ashoka made serious allegations regarding the law and order situation, claiming, "Twelve police officers have committed suicide. This is a government that delivers a ‘suicide guarantee' to officials." He also contested the narrative of Thursday's violence, alleging that Congress workers fired the shots that killed their own party member.
Despite the claims from police sources and BJP leaders earlier in the day about a suicide attempt, there has been no official statement from Nejjur's family. The senior police establishment has united to dispel the rumours, focusing on the officer's current stability while acknowledging the immense pressure he faces following his abrupt suspension.
