Karnataka - Bellary   

Reddy gets anticipatory bail in temple blast case

Staff Correspondent

`Only one per cent of the ore in the area is under the temple' `Only one per cent of the ore in the area is under the temple'

BELLARY: The controversy over the blasting of Sugulamma Devi temple in the area under the Obalapuram Mines Company (OMC) on the State border near Halkundi tanda in Bellary taluk, took a new turn with Janardhan Reddy, suspended BJP MLC and one of the directors of OMC, and K. Ramachandra Reddy obtaining anticipatory bail here.

Complaint

They are accused of demolishing the temple, reportedly using explosives, in a complaint filed in the Bellary (Rural) police station by Mangyu Nayak, a resident of Halkundi tanda claiming to be the priest worshipping the deity for over 30 years.

Another complaint was filed with the D. Hirehal police by Reddy Nayak of H. Siddapuram village in Andhra Pradesh. He has accused S.K. Modi, a mine owner; N. Suryanarayan Reddy, Kurgodu MLA; and M.P. Ravindra, son of Home Minister M.P. Prakash, of destroying the temple.

Mr. Janardhan Reddy informed a team of presspersons from Bellary at his mines in Obalapuram that there was no need for him or his company to demolish the temple as only one per cent of the total iron ore available in the area was beneath the temple and he could forego it.

Inquiry sought

Stating that he was not sure on whether the temple was blasted or had collapsed on its own, Mr. Reddy said only an inquiry into the matter would reveal the truth. He also said the demolition of the temple would benefit the adjacent mine owner more than the OMC.

Mettu Govinda Reddy, Telugu Desam MLA, representing Rayadurga in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, visited the spot.

He and his followers were of the view that the temple, which had a large following in the surrounding areas, should be reconstructed on the same spot.

Interaction

When the legislators were interacting, some of the followers of Mr. Govinda Reddy suggested to Mr. Janardhan Reddy that the temple be built on the same spot and requested him to lay the first stone for it.

Mr. Janardhan Reddy said cases were pending on the issue. Later, Mr. Govinda Reddy and his followers performed puja and laid the foundation stone for the construction of the temple on the same spot.

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Reddy gets anticipatory bail in temple blast case

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