Even as the January 1 banner-related clash in Ballari continues to simmer, unidentified men on Friday evening set fire to a model house located in a private residential layout on Bellary-Belagallu Road triggering fresh tension in the city.
The incident occurred at a model house constructed inside G Square Layout, said to be owned by Gangavati MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy and his close associate B. Sriramulu.
The structure, built to showcase the layout to prospective buyers, was unoccupied at the time, the police said. No injuries to human have been reported.
According to preliminary information, the fire broke out at around 6.30 p.m. Some local residents noticed flames engulfing the structure and made an attempt to catch those responsible but the suspects managed to flee, sources said.
Reacting to the incident, the former MLA and Janardhan Reddy’s brother G. Somasekhar Reddy said that Congress workers are behind the arson.
Speaking to reporters, he said that threats have been issued during the January 1 clash that property belonging to their family will be set on fire.
“What was said then has now been carried out. This is a deliberate act of intimidation,” he said.
Mr. Somasekhar Reddy said that the layout spreads across nearly 100 acres and that the model house was been constructed solely for demonstration purposes.
“This is politically motivated. They [MLA Bharath Reddy] openly said that they will resort to arson and this incident proves it,” he reiterated.
The police, however, said that investigations are under way and cautioned against drawing conclusions at this stage.
Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar confirmed the incident. “Our team has visited the spot. Nothing is clear as of now. We are yet to receive a complaint,” she told The Hindu.
This act of arson comes at a time when Ballari remains politically charged following the violent clash between supporters of Bharath Reddy and Mr. Janardhan Reddy earlier this month, which resulted in the death of a Congress activist and injuries to several others.
Published – January 23, 2026 10:13 pm IST
