Blast rocks court complex in Mysuru

Two persons, including a student, sustained injuries in a low intensity bomb (LIB) explosion in a public toilet in the District Court Complex here, on Monday.

The injured were identified as Venkatesh, 45, a resident of Agrahara, and Sonal, 15, a class IX student. The explosion took place at 4.10 pm. Due to the impact, two walls collapsed while the ceiling, doors and window panes of four toilets were badly damaged.

It is suspected that the bomb was planted in a pressure cooker as a cooker, gun powder, battery cells and wires were found at the blast spot.

Speaking to reporters, Home Minister G Parameshwara, who visited the spot, said that though the bomb was of low intensity, the impact was high as it exploded inside a closed room. The explosive materials used are yet to be ascertained. A thorough investigation would follow, the minister said.

Soon after the blast, all 28 courts in the complex were suspended and people, including judges, advocates and litigants, evacuated.

A civic worker, Girijamma, a resident of Devaraj Urs Colony, had a lucky escape. She was preparing to clean the toilet where the bomb exploded but went to have a cup of tea in the canteen before that.