Bengaluru, Jan 5 (NationPress) The Special Court for MLAs and MPs in Bengaluru has ordered the remand of 26 individuals to judicial custody related to the Congress shootout incident. Among these individuals is Gurucharan Singh, the private gunman for Satish Reddy, an aide to Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy, who is implicated in murder allegations linked to this case.

The apprehended individuals were transported to Bengaluru from Ballari by the Karnataka Police and presented in court. Authorities mentioned that they may request further custody of these individuals as the investigation progresses. Consequently, they will be transferred to Bengaluru Central Prison.

Accused Gurucharan Singh was seen wearing a mask upon his arrival at the court. The arrested group comprises 11 BJP members and 10 Congress members.

In custody are also the private gunmen of Satish Reddy — Mahendra Singh and Baljit Singh, both from Punjab; the government gunman of MLA Bharat Reddy, Basavaraj; four government gunmen associated with BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy; and a gunman for B. Sriramulu. In total, nine gunmen are under investigation as the inquiry continues.

Additionally, a bullet was discovered on the grounds of Janardhana Reddy's residence by the bomb disposal squad on Monday morning, identified as a 9 mm round. To date, 10 bullets have been retrieved from the vicinity where clashes between BJP and Congress workers erupted over a banner disagreement, leading to a shootout and the tragic death of Congress worker Rajashekar.

Authorities have also investigated the residence of Gurucharan Singh in Ballari and seized the cartridge linked to the shooting of the deceased Congress worker.

In the police-initiated case, Janardhana Reddy is designated as Accused No. 1, while Somashekara Reddy is Accused No. 2 concerning the violent events. The police reported that numerous sticks were found at Janardhana Reddy's property.

Two police platoons have been deployed at the court premises for security.

Notably, it has been confirmed that Congress worker Rajashekar was fatally shot by a bullet fired by Gurucharan Singh during the violent incident. Following this revelation, the police initially detained him and subsequently arrested him formally.

So far, the police have questioned 45 individuals, leading to the arrest of 26.

In the aftermath of the violence in Ballari, mining magnate and BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy has sent separate letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, and Director General of Police Dr. M.A. Saleem, requesting 'Z' category security for himself and his family.

In these letters, he has also demanded the arrest of MLA Bharat Reddy and Satish Reddy, along with action against police officials for their alleged inability to manage the situation. He asserted that if security is not granted and any harm befalls him or his family, the state government should be held accountable.

Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara has suggested that the case may be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).