Ballari clash: Bullet recovered from victim’s body not from police weapon, says Hitendra

The bullet recovered from the body of the Congress worker, who died in a group clash that broke out in Ballari on Thursday, was not fired from a police weapon, confirmed Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) R. Hitendra.

Addressing a press conference at the SP’s office in Ballari on Friday, he said that stone-pelting and firing by private gunmen had taken place during the clash, and that video footage and CCTV visuals were being examined to identify those involved. Five firearms belonging to private gunmen have been seized and their licences are being verified.

A total of 1,500 police personnel have been deployed in Ballari and surrounding areas to maintain law and order. Additional forces have been drawn from Ballari, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Vijayanagara districts, and meetings have been held with Valmiki community leaders as part of preventive measures, he added.

Four cases booked

Mr. Hitendra said that the post-mortem examination of the deceased has been completed and four cases have been registered so far in connection with the incident. “No arrests have been made so far. We will not make arrests in haste. Even if influential persons are involved, the investigation will be conducted carefully and action will be taken as per law,” he said.

He added that an internal inquiry was under way to examine any police lapses during the Thursday’s incident and assured strict action if negligence was found. Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur has been placed under suspension over alleged lapses in handling the law and order situation. He was posted to Ballari on December 31.

CM seeks report

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government had ordered a detailed investigation into the clash near the residence of former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and directed officials to submit a report.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the probe would also ascertain the ownership of the firearm used in the incident. He indicated that preliminary information suggested the possibility of a bullet fired into the air hitting the victim and said all aspects of the case would be thoroughly investigated.