BALLARI: After the Supreme Court granted conditional bail to former minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy on Tuesday, his followers and family members celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
Reddy’s house at Havambavi area in the city had worn a deserted look since his arrest on September 5, 2011. On Tuesday, it was a hub of activity as Reddy’s relatives and followers thronged it in large numbers.
The ex-minister’s followers from Havambavi, Talur Road, Cowlbazar and Devinagar areas took out a bike rally in the city.
Former MP Sanna Fakkirappa and Reddy’s followers, including his camp assistants, burst crackers in front of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office near SP Circle.
Fakkirappa told reporters that the bail order has infused fresh energy in them. Reddy’s car drivers, housekeepers, gardeners and security personnel too celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
Barring people associated with the ‘Reddy camp’, no prominent leaders of the BJP were part of the celebrations. Repeated attempts by Express to contact local BJP leaders went in vain.
Reddy’s brother Somashekar Reddy said the whole family was elated. He expressed relief that his brother’s three-year struggle to get bail had finally borne fruit.
Superintendent of Police Chetan Singh Rathore said he had directed the police to step up patrolling in the city.