A ragpicker was killed after a box containing explosive material exploded behind a petrol bunk on Taluru Road in Ballari town on Saturday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Yarriswamy, and the petrol bunk belongs to Maranna.
Yarriswamy had been residing in a shed behind the petrol bunk for the last five months. He had gone out to relieve himself, when he found a blue box lying around, which he carried home.
His wife Maramma complained of smelling gunpowder and asked him to dispose the box. However, Yerriswamy believed that it might fetch him some money, if he sold it. He took the box outside his shed and tried to open it with a knife, when the box suddenly exploded, killing him on the spot, said Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Dambal. Dog squad and bomb disposed squad have visited the spot.
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