Ballari: Police have registered an FIR against 22 BJP leaders, including former MLA G. Somashekara Reddy and MP Renukacharya, for allegedly violating regulations during the BJP’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra organised against the state government.
The case was registered at the Ballari Rural police station following a road blockade on Ballari-Hosapete National Highway 67 on Sept 9. Angered by the removal of the materials, BJP leaders staged a dharna on NH-67 on Sept 9, blocking traffic and disrupting vehicular movement for some time.
The leaders obstructed public movement and staged a protest without prior permission after civic authorities removed banners and flags erected within city limits, according to police. Police said further investigation is under way, and action will be taken in accordance with the law. Police alleged that the protest caused inconvenience to commuters and affected the free flow of traffic on the busy highway. The incident has now resulted in legal proceedings against the BJP leaders for allegedly organising the demonstration without permission and disrupting public movement.