The Karnataka Police has lodged an FIR against former Minister B. Sriramulu, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, at the Ballari Women’s Police Station in Ballari city. The complaint accuses Sriramulu of disclosing sensitive information, including the victim’s identity, during a speech, which is a violation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A case has been registered against Sriramulu under the POCSO Act based on the complaint.
During a BJP protest rally on January 17, where the arrest of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was demanded, Sriramulu allegedly revealed the victim’s identity while criticizing Reddy. He mentioned details about the victim, claiming that the accused had consumed drugs before assaulting a schoolgirl. Sriramulu disclosed the survivor’s name, address, class, and school during his speech, leading to the FIR against him.
BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy in Bengaluru acknowledged that a case had been filed against him by the APMC Station inspector. He stated that they would handle the case legally. Sriramulu, a close associate of Janardhana Reddy, has been vocal against the Congress-led state government and local Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, escalating political tensions in the region.
At a protest rally calling for a CBI investigation into the Ballari incident and the immediate arrest of Nara Bharath Reddy, Sriramulu emphasized that the rally aimed to safeguard the Kalyana Karnataka region, not just Janardhana Reddy. He vowed to pursue Bharath Reddy and police officers allegedly involved, asserting that he would not spare them regardless of their location. Sriramulu also expressed confidence that the BJP would secure victory in the upcoming Karnataka state Assembly elections.
