Ballari DIG transferred after clash that killed Congress party worker in Karnataka

Close on the heels of the transfer of the Superintendent of Police of Ballari, just hours after taking charge, following a clash that claimed the life of a Congress party worker, the Karnataka government transferred the jurisdictional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police as well.

The DIG has been replaced by a senior officer of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank. The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the handling of the incident, which triggered political outrage and demands for accountability.

As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), P.S. Harsha, who was awaiting posting, has been appointed as Inspector General of Police, Ballari range. He replaces Vartika Katiyar, DIG, who has been transferred and posted as DIG, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.

In another key posting, Sumana D. Pennekar, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), Bengaluru, has been appointed as Superintendent of Police, Ballari district. The post had fallen vacant after Pavan Nejjur was suspended within hours of taking charge, with the government holding him prima facie responsible for failing to effectively handle the law-and-order situation during a violent clash in Ballari on January 1.

The violence erupted following a clash between supporters of Ballari City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavathi MLA G. Janardhan Reddy. A Congress worker was killed by a gunshot during the incident. Following reports of stone-pelting, police used canes and tear gas to bring the situation under control.