The explosive substances that were recovered by the Bengaluru police on July 23.
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: Three men were arrested for dropping a bag containing explosives at the BMTC bus stand in Kalasipalyam, western Bengaluru.
The arrested — Ganesh HM, 28, Muniraju, 38, and Shivakumar, 32 — are quarry workers from different parts of Kolar with no criminal history, the police said.
The Kalasipalyam police registered a case after six gelatin sticks and 12 detonators were found in a bag near the bus stand toilet on July 23. The bomb squad recovered the items, which were packed separately.
An FIR was filed under the Explosive Substances Act, Explosives Act, and sections 288 and 61(1)(a) and (b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for negligent handling and criminal conspiracy.
Five teams were formed to investigate.
The suspects allegedly left the bag after mistaking police officers in khaki for BMTC staff.
“They were transporting the explosives from Kolar to Kollegal for use in quarrying and borewell drilling. This is their version, which is being verified. They had no licence and failed to follow safety protocols,” a senior officer said.
The police used CCTV and technical evidence to track them and recovered a total of 22 live gelatin sticks and 30 live electric detonators.
3 others involved
The involvement of three others is suspected.
“Teams are working round the clock to trace them. We are also probing the supplier’s role. So far, no mischief has been detected,” the officer added.