Bengaluru: Miscreants have set fire to two expensive cars of Bommanahalli BJP MLA Satish Reddy which were parked in front of his house at Bommanahalli here on the early hours of Thursday.

According to Police, the incident is said to have taken place at about 1.25 am. Three miscreants gained entry into the house by jumping over the compound wall and set fire to the cars by pouring petrol on them. The torching of cars were done in just two minutes. Both cars were completely gutted. Reddy got up when he heard the sound of explosion of tyre and came out to only see the cars in flame. Immediately, Department of Fire and Emergency Services was informed, who rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. By that time, the fire had done extensive damage to the cars. 

Initially, Reddy thought it may be due to short-circuit. But, upon checking the CCTV cameras, he saw three miscreants setting fire to the cars. A case has been registered at Bommanahalli Police Station. 

The CCTVs footages captured in the cameras installed in the area have clearly shown three persons jumping over several buildings and escaping in narrow lanes after committing the crime.

Additional Police Commissioner Murugan said three special teams have been constituted to nab the miscreants. Two suspects have been picked up for questioning. Meanwhile, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra visited the spot and gave instructions to local cops. 

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has attributed this incident due to vengeance and assured of nabbing the culprits soon.

Row over Idol installation?

Meanwhile, locals have opined that controversy over the installation of Shiva’s idol in Begur Tank by creating an island may be the reason for setting the cars on fire. Questioning this, a few individuals had moved Karnataka High Court which had asked BBMP to cover the statue with plastic sheet. Recently, a few pro-Hindu activists had peeled off the plastic sheet to express their anger. They had demanded MLA Reddy to come to the spot. The cops had arrested 9 persons in this regard and released them later. The HC directed to maintain a status quo on this matter.

No enemies

Reddy, talking to media, said he did not have any enemies and this incident may be linked to row over the installation of statue. The culprits may escape if the Police investigate from one angle. Need of the hour was to probe it from different angles, he added.