MYSURU: A low intensity blast in a toilet of Mysuru’s court complex sent a wave of panic among court staff, litigants and people living nearby on Monday evening.
No casualties or injuries were reported. Police Commissioner B Dayananda confirmed that it was Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. Some wires and battery were recovered from the spot
The incident happened on a day when there was heavy police presence in the city owing to the last rites of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Rakesh being conducted.
The blast took place at a toilet in a corner of the court premises at 4.05 pm. No one was using the toilet when the explosion ripped out its roof, doors and walls.
The complex is close to Chamundipuram railway station. The loud noise, heard up to a kilometre away from the spot, brought the court proceedings to a halt. Panic-struck judges, advocates and litigants ran out of the court halls.
The impact was such that an asbestos roof sheet of the toilet was flung 100 metres away from the spot.
According to eyewitnesses, they saw a man entering the toilet with a flower bouquet prior to the blast. A family which cleans the toilet had left just minutes before but rushed back after the blast.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, who visited the spot along with DGP Om Prakash, said only a forensic report and investigation will reveal the nature of the blast and intention behind it.
He refused to speculate on whether it was a terror attack or if it was intended to divert attention from Rakesh’s funeral. Lawyers, who were shaken by the incident, expressed their anger at the lack of security in the court premises.
A team headed by Krishnaraja ACP C Mallik will investigate the case.