Attack-accused MLA J N Ganesh absconding

The Karnataka Congress, already in an embarrassing spot after its MLAs came to blows a few days ago, found itself in another awkward situation on Tuesday. Its Kampli MLA J N Ganesh — accused of assaulting Anand Singh, another Congress MLA from Vijayanagar — is absconding.

Ramanagar police have formed special teams to arrest Ganesh, who is incommunicado. Ramesh Banoth, Superintendent of Police, Ramanagar, told DH they are hopeful of arresting him soon.

Another senior police officer said, “After the attack on Anand Singh, we visited the hospital and recorded his statement. An FIR was registered. But when we went to the resort (Eagleton) to arrest Ganesh, he wasn’t there. We recorded the statements of resort staffers. We tried reaching Ganesh on his mobile phone, but it was switched off. We also tried to contact him through his close aides, but couldn’t.”

The officer said, “Anand Singh, in his statement, said Medical Education Minister E Tukaram and MLAs T Raghumurthy from Challakere, S Ramappa from Harihara and Tanveer Sait from Narasimharaja witnessed the brawl and tried to stop Ganesh. But we are yet to record their statements as all of them were at the funeral of Siddaganga seer.”

The Congress distanced itself from Ganesh. “We have already suspended him from the party. I agree our MLAs had witnessed the incident. They will cooperate with police investigation,” said Dinesh Gundu Rao, president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

DH’s attempts to contact Ganesh on his phone failed. The legislator’s personal staff, too, did not receive calls.

Meanwhile, Anand Singh is recovering in a city hospital. Dr N Umesh, medical superintendent, said, “Since it is a trauma injury, he will have to remain in the hospital for some more time. However, if he says he wants to go, we can discharge him.”