No need to handover Ballari clashes probe to CBI: Home Minister G Parameshwara

Bengaluru:  Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that there was no need to hand over the probe into the Ballari clashes to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"If our police aren't capable of investigation, only then can we speak about handing over the probe to the CBI," Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.

"It has been decided in the Cabinet not to hand over any cases to the CBI. Handing it over to the CBI is also not necessary," he added.

Responding to a statement by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, he said, "Kumaraswamy was the chief minister of the state twice. He is the minister of Heavy Industries at the Centre. He has made a statement about me personally. I can say anything I want about him. I think that he has made the statement very responsibly and I accept it."

"I want to tell him that I have an understanding of how the legal system should be administered in the state. I have been in politics for 38 years. I have worked in many positions. I have worked with Kumaraswamy as well. So he knows my strength and personality. His statement will not be taken seriously," he added.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed SP Suman Pannekar assumed charge in Ballari on Thursday.

In connection with two cases related to the recent clashes, notices have been issued to a total of 67 persons summoning them for inquiry. They include 33 BJP leaders and workers, such as Janardhana Reddy, Somasekhara Reddy and B Sriramulu, and 34 Congress members, including Satish Reddy, Chanal Shekhar, Nara Bharath Reddy, Nara Pratap Reddy and Nara Suryanarayana Reddy.