CID to probe 10 cases linked to Hubballi ‘disrobing’ and Ballari firing

The Karnataka government on Friday handed over 10 cases related to two incidents that had turned into political flashpoints — the Hubballi woman “disrobing” case and the Ballari firing case in which a Congress worker was killed — to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a well-placed police source told The Hindu.

The incidents, which unfolded within the first five days of the year, had led to political slugfests as both had connections to the BJP and the Congress.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister G. Parameshwara had said that the Hubballi cases would be transferred to the CID after obtaining approval from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The State government handed over the cases to the CID by evening, with the probe to be headed by B.K. Singh, Additional Director-General of Police.

In another order issued on Friday, Director-General of Police M.A. Saleem also handed over four cases related to the Ballari firing incident to the CID. The investigating agency is yet to appoint an officer to head this probe.

In the Hubballi case, a video showing a woman, said to be a BJP worker, allegedly being disrobed on January 5, had gone viral on social media. The incident triggered widespread outrage, with allegations that the police had disrobed the woman.

Of the six cases, four are against BJP worker Sujata Handi and her accomplices, including family members, who have been accused of assault and attempted murder. One case is against Congress councillor Suvarna Kallakuntla, and another pertains to the release of the alleged “disrobing” video on social media platforms.

Of the four complaints filed against Ms. Sujata Handi, two cases of assault and attempted murder were filed by local residents of Chalukya Nagar, where the accused also resides. One complaint of assault was filed by Congress municipal councillor Ms. Kallakuntla. The fourth complaint was filed by woman police constable Laxmi Vaddar, one of the four women constables injured in the alleged assault by Ms. Handi when the police went to arrest her.

The complaint against Ms. Kallakuntla was filed by the police following a BJP protest and a complaint lodged by the brother of Ms. Sujata Handi.

The Home Minister reiterated that the police had not disrobed the woman. “I have already told you that the police did not strip her and that she did it herself. However, a detailed investigation is required to clearly ascertain the facts,” he added.

In the Ballari incident, a Congress worker was killed during a clash that erupted while banners were being erected in Ballari city ahead of the unveiling of a Valmiki statue.

So far, the police have arrested 26 persons in connection with six cases linked to the incident. Firearms used by private security personnel during the clash, along with other material evidence, have been seized and sent for forensic examination.

A private gunman linked to Sathish Reddy, a close associate of Nara Bharath Reddy, MLA, has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. The BJP, especially mining baron and former Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, has been demanding the arrest of the MLA.