Suman D. Pennekar taking in Ballari on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SRIDHAR KAVALI Suman D. Pennekar formally assumed charge as the Superintendent of Police of Ballari district on Thursday following orders issued by the State government amid recent developments after a violent group clash in the city. A 2013-batch Indian Police Service officer, Ms. Pennekar was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) prior to her posting in Ballari. She took charge from Superintendent of Police of Chitradurga Ranjith Kumar Bandaru who was given additional charge of Ballari district after Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur was suspended on January 2. Her appointment comes at a time when the district police administration is under intense scrutiny following the January 1 violence in Ballari which led to the death of a Congress activist and triggered a series of transfers and suspensions of senior police officers. Published – January 08, 2026 07:03 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Nobel laureate Bialiatski tells AFP ‘important’ to keep pressure on Belarus Railway staff, families showcase cultural talents