‘Investigating from which gun the bullet was fired’: ADGP Hitendra on seizing 5 weapons related to Ballari clash

BENGALURU: The police on Friday seized five guns that were allegedly used during the violence in Ballari on Thursday night.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, R Hithendra told the media on Friday that five guns have been seized from five private gunmen at the site. He said the police have registered a suo motu case and are conducting an internal inquiry.

He assured that action will be taken against those involved in the incident. He said that the seized guns will be sent to forensics, and an investigation will be conducted to find the weapon from which the bullet was fired.

Speaking to the media, he said, “There was an issue of putting up banners. Stone pelting took place from 9 pm to 9.30 pm. A group also opened fire. We have seized the private guns of five private gunmen. One person died after being shot. The police have registered a suo motu case… We are also conducting an internal inquiry. There should have been no death due to the banner issue. We will take action against those involved in this incident. We have seized a total of 5 guns. We will send it to forensics and investigate from which gun the bullet was fired…”

#WATCH | Karnataka: A clash broke out between two groups in the Awambavi area of ​​Ballari city, allegedly over a Valmiki banner issue, last night: SP Ballari

Visuals from the spot pic.twitter.com/ZMejPtwGIV

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that he had asked for an enquiry into the clash outside BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy’s residence in Ballari, in which one person was killed.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said, “I have asked for an enquiry into the case, from which gun bullet was fired and how it started. There were gunmen, and bullets were also fired into the air. A person named Rajashekar died.”

Home Minister G Parameshwara on Firday also said that he has ordered an enquiry into the clash outside BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy’s residence in Ballari, in which one person was killed.

Speaking to reporters, G Parameshwara said, “They pelted stones at each other, and one person died in the clash. I have ordered an inquiry…I was told that 11 people have been registered in the charge sheet, and some people have been arrested. So once the complete report comes, I’ll be able to share the exact information with the media”.

Supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA G Janardhana clashed outside the latter’s residence in Ballari over the installation of banners for an upcoming event on January 3 to install the Valmiki statue. Two groups got involved in hand-to-hand combat and stone-pelting, and later firing, prompting police to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, police said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra blamed Congress MLA Bharath Reddy for the incident and said there’s no fear of the police.

“Bharath Reddy and his supporters had created a ruckus near the house of MLA Janardhan Reddy. An unwanted situation was created. The way the incident occurred clearly indicates there’s no fear of the police department. Police stations have become Congress offices. BJP strongly condemn this goondaism by local MLA Bharath Reddy,” he said.

Ballari SP Ranjit Kumar Bandaru said that the shots were fired from a private weapon. The police have registered four cases on the charges of murder, attempt to murder, offence against SC-ST, and a suo motu case against all the people involved in the riot.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Ranjith kumar Bandaru, SP Ballari, says, “Last evening, a riot incident happened in front of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy’s residence because of a dispute related to putting up a poster regarding the inauguration of a Valmiki statue. This dispute has resulted in a… https://t.co/GEhGoAeGXs pic.twitter.com/lXQdmUKs4C

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026

“So far, it appears that the bullet was fired from a private weapon. A total of four cases have been filed, one murder case, one attempt to murder, one SC-ST case and one suo motto case filed by the police against all the people involved in the riot”, the SP said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, said that the clash was a “pre-planned conspiracy” to murder the BJP MLA.

“A group gathered and came and put up banners inside the compound of Janardhan Reddy’s house. What fault is there on the part of Janardhan Reddy in this? They themselves fired the shots, they themselves committed the murder, and now blaming Janardhan Reddy is unforgivable. There was a pre-planned conspiracy to attack Janardhan Reddy and murder him,” he said.

“It is clear who fired the shot. They are now calling it a misfire. If it had happened from Janardhan Reddy’s side, would they have written it as a misfire? There has been pressure from above to write it as a misfire,” he added. (ANI)