Two pieces of gelatin were found near a road linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru in Karnataka state on Sunday, prompting police to arrest a man who allegedly made a bomb threat call earlier that day, prompting tightened security checks across the city.
The explosives were found near Tataguni, near Vadirahalli Gate, within the limits of Kagalipura police station on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The site is located near the road the Prime Minister is expected to use while traveling to the International Center for the Arts of Living on Kanakapura Road.
The anti-sabotage screening team that conducted security checks ahead of the Prime Minister’s convoy found the gelatin sticks near the wall of a compound next to a bridge, about 20 meters from the side of the road, police said.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot after recovery and began search operations in nearby areas linked to the Prime Minister’s movement.
The incident came to light after Bengaluru Police received a phone call early in the morning. According to police, the anonymous caller warned of explosions near the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited airport and the Art of Living ashram.
After the threatening call, Bengaluru Police alerted security agencies and Ramanagara District Police. Searches were carried out at several locations linked to the Prime Minister’s visit.
A senior police source said: “Nothing suspicious was found near HAL Airport during the inspection. However, two pieces of gelatin were found near Art of Life Road during an anti-vandal check.”
Later, the police arrested K. Lohit (40) from a residence near Koramangala was taken for questioning. During the initial investigation, officials found that he had made similar threatening hoax calls during previous visits by top political leaders and other dignitaries to Bengaluru.
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“Earlier, he was making fake threatening calls and in some cases was let out after warnings due to concerns about his mental state,” a police officer said.
Officers said the preliminary investigation did not establish any direct link between the detained man and the gelatin sticks found near the road.
The officer added, “During preliminary investigations, it became clear that the detainee had nothing to do with gelatin sticks.”
The police said that the gelatin sticks were disposed of safely, and investigations are still ongoing to determine who left them near the side of the road.
Deputy Inspector General of the Central Region S. Girish: “These sticks are used in stone quarries. We are now investigating who threw these sticks.”
Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas, analyzing phone call logs and reviewing the background of the man in custody as part of the investigation. The police said that the accused is being interrogated at an undisclosed location.
Security arrangements across Bengaluru remained on alert during the Prime Minister’s visit, with additional police deployment along major roads and sensitive public places linked to his movement in the city.
