BENGALURU: Six police officers, including a sub-inspector, have been suspended due to a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation in the Karnataka capital on May 10. This decision follows the discovery of explosives near Kuppareddy Kere, roughly 2 kilometers from the AOL center, along the route taken by the Prime Minister.
Bengaluru South Superintendent of Police R. Sinivas Gowda, who approved the suspensions, did not disclose the names of those involved. The explosives, which consisted of two gelatin sticks, matchsticks, camphor, batteries, wires, a real-time clock, and an LCD display, were found packed in a carton box situated approximately 25 feet from the main road, near the compound wall of a private property.
A police constable discovered the suspicious box about one and a half hours before the Prime Minister’s convoy was scheduled to pass through the area. As of now, law enforcement has not made significant progress in the investigation.
Initially, police sources reported only two gelatin sticks and a matchbox were located in the carton. However, following further inquiries by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), additional components were identified. Investigation teams were dispatched to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and adjacent districts in Karnataka as part of the efforts. NIA and Intelligence Bureau officials also visited the site to gather further information.
A forensic lab report submitted to the police affirmed that there was no imminent threat from the explosives discovered in the carton. The report indicated that the gelatin sticks were approximately three years old, the timer was non-functional, and there was no detonator present in the box.
