Won’t hesitate to reopen cases against Janardhan Reddy: Karnataka Congress ministers

Bengaluru: Home Minister K.J. George and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra have slammed the previous BJP government for withdrawing cases against former minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy in connection with the demolition of a temple on the inter-state border between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and for altering the border itself.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, they denied BJP leaders’ allegation that the Siddaramaiah government was ‘pro-minority’ and said the incumbent government was committed to the welfare of all communities. The BJP had no moral right to question the state government over the withdrawal of cases filed against some people in connection with communal riots and against farmers. “We have not withdrawn cases against terrorists or those having links with terrorist groups. The BJP government withdrew around 400 cases filed against Bajrang Dal and Sri Ram Sene activists as they are splinter groups of the saffron party. We have withdrawn only 30 cases.”

The ministers said the previous government withdrew cases against Mr Janardhan Reddy who allegedly demolished Suggalamma Temple in Sandur of Ballari district and also altered the boundary stones to carry out mining. Even a case filed against another former minister B. Sriramulu for allegedly assaulting Mr Anil Lad of the Congress had been withdrawn.

“The case of altering the boundary stones by M/s OMG owned by Mr Reddy is being investigated. We will not hesitate to re-open the case if Mr Reddy has committed a mistake of altering the inter-state boundary. We are not interested in settling scores with BJP but they should not engage in such criticism. According to us, withdrawing cases against PFI and KFD does not amount to appeasement of the minority community.”