Five days after the Superintendent of Police of Ballari was suspended over a law and order disturbance in the district, the State government is yet to post his replacement. Leaving the Ballari District Police headless for five days at such a crucial time has raised eyebrows.
Pavan Nejjur, who earlier served as SP, Lokayukta, Ballari, was posted as SP, Ballari on the night of December 31, 2025. He took charge on January 1, 2026. However, hours later, a clash broke out between the supporters of Ballari City Congress MLA N. Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G. Janardhana Reddy and a Congress worker died, hit by a bullet.
A day later, on January 2, Mr. Nejjur was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty, pending a departmental enquiry (DE).
The Superintendent of Police of the neighbouring Chitradurga district is holding additional charge of the district since then, even as the State government is not yet able to find Mr. Nejjur’s replacement. Why the government is taking so long to find a replacement remains a mystery.
Consultations on
A senior police official said that consultations were on and the posting would be made soon, after concurrence with the Home Minister and the Chief Minister. Moreover, the range Chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) is also stationed in Ballari district, another senior officer pointed out.
However, many, including former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, have questioned why there has been no action against the DIG as well. Given there was a political clash that soon snowballed into a law and order crisis and there was gun violence, police leadership is key to bring the situation under control and ensure it doesn’t flare up again.
Published – January 07, 2026 05:23 am IST
