Bengaluru, January 2, 2026 – In a bid to defuse escalating political tensions in Ballari district, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has ordered a high-level inquiry into a violent clash between Congress and BJP supporters that claimed the life of a young Congress worker. The incident, which unfolded late Thursday evening, has drawn sharp accusations from both sides, with the BJP demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or High Court-monitored probe.
The confrontation erupted around 7 p.m. on January 1 outside the residence of BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy in the Avvambhavi area along Siruguppa Road, Ballari city. The flashpoint was a dispute over the installation of banners promoting the unveiling of a Valmiki statue scheduled for January 3 at the local Valmiki Circle. Supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, who represents Ballari City, had erected the flex banners near Reddy's home, prompting objections from the BJP camp over the placement on a busy thoroughfare.
What began as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into chaos. According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, BJP supporters, led by Janardhana Reddy and his brother Somasekhar Reddy, allegedly gathered with stones and wooden sticks, tore down the banners, and assaulted the Congress group. Congress workers retaliated with stone-pelting, injuring several on both sides, including BJP associate Satish Reddy, who sustained a head injury, and gunman Basavaraj, along with a police constable.
Tensions peaked during a second skirmish later that night when private gunmen—allegedly linked to Satish Reddy—fired shots into the air in a bid to scare off the crowd. Tragedy struck when one of the bullets, fired from a private .76 mm calibre revolver, accidentally struck 26-year-old Congress worker Rajashekar in the chest, leading to his death at a local hospital. Rajashekar, a close associate of the Congress MLA, was pronounced dead on arrival after the post-mortem confirmed the gunshot wound as the cause.
Police swiftly intervened with a lathi charge to disperse the mob of over 200 people, restoring order by midnight. Five firearms were seized from the scene, and forensic teams are analyzing CCTV footage, social media videos, and ballistic evidence to determine the exact source of the fatal shot. Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru confirmed the weapon was unlicensed and private, not issued to police.
In response, four First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered at Brucepet police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:
* A murder case (Section 103) based on a complaint from Bharath Reddy's supporters regarding Rajashekar's death.
* An attempt to murder case (Section 109) filed by Satish Reddy.
* An SC/ST Atrocities Act case against Janardhana Reddy for alleged casteist slurs.
* A suo moto rioting case (Sections 191 and 189) against all participants.
Janardhana Reddy has been named as Accused No. 1 in the primary FIR, alongside his brother Somasekhar (No. 2), former minister B Sriramulu (No. 3), Ballari City Corporation opposition leader Motkar Srinivas (No. 4), and seven others. No arrests have been made yet, pending forensic results, though 11 individuals have been named in chargesheets.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media in Bengaluru, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. "The bullet fired into the air hit Rajashekar, leading to his death. We must ascertain from whose revolver it came—BJP or Congress side. I have ordered officials to submit a detailed report," he said, underscoring that the probe would cover the origins of the gunfire and how the clash ignited.
Home Minister Parameshwara echoed the call for accountability, revealing he had dispatched Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hitendra to the site. "They pelted stones at each other, and one person died. I have ordered an inquiry... Once the complete report comes, I'll share exact details. We've beefed up forces from Davangere, Chitradurga, and the India Reserve Battalion to maintain peace," Parameshwara stated. The situation in Ballari remains tense but under control, with over 1,000 personnel—including 10 Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons and 12 District Armed Reserve units—deployed across sensitive areas like Valmiki Circle and Reddy's residence. Additional reinforcements from Vijayanagara, Koppal, and Chitradurga districts have been mobilized.
The BJP has vehemently condemned the incident as a "pre-planned conspiracy" to assassinate Janardhana Reddy. State BJP president BY Vijayendra accused Bharath Reddy of turning police stations into "Congress offices" and fostering goondaism. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged pressure from the ruling party to label the shooting a "misfire," claiming, "If it were from our side, they wouldn't call it accidental. This was an attack on Janardhana's life."
BJP leader B Sriramulu, named in the FIR, demanded an impartial probe, criticizing the "cinema-style" firing by private gunmen without constitutional authority. "Rajasekhar's death is tragic, regardless of party. We need a High Court judge or CBI to investigate—the bullet must be forensically matched," Sriramulu urged, vowing BJP support for Janardhana. He dismissed injury claims against Satish Reddy as "bogus" and warned Bharath Reddy against "reckless politics."
Janardhana Reddy himself decried the law-and-order breakdown, filing a separate complaint about threats to his life and illegal activities by the Congress MLA. The Valmiki statue event is set to proceed on schedule under heavy security.
This clash underscores deepening rivalries in Ballari, a mining hub long plagued by political feuds between the Reddy brothers—Janardhana (BJP) and Bharath (Congress)—over local influence. As the inquiry unfolds, all eyes are on the forensic report, expected within days, to clarify culpability and prevent further violence in the region.
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