Ballari clash: Case filed against MLA Janardhana Reddy, 10 others

Mangalore Today News Network

Ballari, January 2, 2026: Police have registered a case against 11 persons, including BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy, in connection with a clash that broke out near the legislator’s residence in Ballari city on Thursday evening over the installation of banners.

The FIR was registered in the early hours of Friday based on a complaint filed by Chanal Shekhar, a close aide of Ballari City MLA N Bharath Reddy. Janardhana Reddy has been named as the first accused, followed by former MLA G Somashekara Reddy as the second accused. MLA and former minister B Sriramulu has been listed as the third accused, while Srinivas Motkar, Leader of the Opposition in the Ballari City Corporation, has been named as the fourth accused. In total, 11 individuals have been booked in the case.

According to the complaint, banners were being erected in the city in connection with a programme to unveil a statue of Valmiki at Valmiki Circle. Sathish Reddy, an aide of Bharath Reddy, objected after Janardhana Reddy and others allegedly tore down banners installed near the BJP leader’s residence on Siruguppa Road on Thursday evening. It is alleged that Janardhana Reddy, Somashekara Reddy and their supporters deliberately removed the banners and got into a heated argument with Sathish Reddy and his gunman Basavaraj, before allegedly assaulting them.

The complainant further alleged that a police officer, Srinivas, was injured during the incident and sought legal action against those involved. Based on the complaint, the Brucepet police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation.

Security tightened

Meanwhile, security has been intensified across Ballari, though the situation remained peaceful on Friday. Police confirmed that one person was killed during the violence on Thursday.

A senior police officer said the situation was brought under control promptly and additional forces were deployed as a precautionary measure. “At present, the situation is peaceful and all necessary steps have been taken to prevent any untoward incident,” the officer said, according to PTI.

Videos circulating on social media showed a private gunman allegedly firing shots into the air as tension prevailed in the area.

The clash occurred ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling programme scheduled to be held in the city on Saturday. Police said supporters of Bharath Reddy were attempting to install banners in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence in the Avambhavi area, which was opposed by the latter’s supporters. What began as a verbal exchange soon escalated into a physical confrontation, with supporters from both sides allegedly resorting to stone-pelting.

Police sources said stones were also hurled at personnel who rushed to the spot to control the situation. Several people were injured in the incident, and police are verifying the number of injured and their identities.

As the situation threatened to escalate further, police resorted to a lathi charge and fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact sequence of events and verify the allegations.