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: Police have detained eight persons, including two adults and six children, in connection with a fire that broke out at Gangavathi MLA and former minister G Janardhan Reddy’s model house within Ballari Rural Police limits.
The fire occurred in the model house within the G-Square project. The house is in the name of Reddy’s wife Aruna. Police said the site manager Rizwaan lodged a complaint.
The two adults arrested were identified as Sohail alias Sahil (18) and Suresh (32), both of whom were residents of Tailor Street in Ballari Cowl Bazaar. The remaining six are children whose identities are kept secret in accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Ballari SP Dr. Suman D Pennekar told reporters that preliminary investigation revealed that a group of youths went to the roof of the model house to reel and take photos and videos. It was claimed that two people lit a fire during the activity, but it quickly got out of control and caused a fire.
He said the ministry would conduct a deeper investigation.
“A group of young people often visited this house to take videos and photographs. We learned this after examining their mobile phones,” he said.
He also pointed out that there was no security arrangement or CCTV surveillance in Janardhan Reddy’s compound. “It is also the responsibility of the property owner to ensure such regulations,” he added.
Ballari Range IGP Dr PS Harsha said the statements of the detained persons were consistent with the material evidence collected so far.
He added that two members of the group carried out the action without realizing the seriousness of their actions.
The fire allegedly caused damage worth 1.25 million rupees.
Meanwhile, Janardhan Reddy pointed out Bellary City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy.
He said it was difficult to accept that the fire was caused by young people who came just to shoot a video.
“Four months ago, a complaint was lodged regarding a theft case in the same house. At that time, the accused were protected by Bharath Reddy and ASP Ravikumar. Is it believable that in such a situation, people who came to pull a reel set fire to the house?” he asked.
He also demanded that the detained young people be subjected to medical tests, claiming that drug consumption would be revealed.
“The Prime Minister is protecting people like Bharath Reddy. This criminal will one day set the entire state on fire. The January 1 incident should be handed over to the CBI,” he reiterated.
