Gelatin sticks found near PM Modi’s Bengaluru route, one detained

A major security scare unfolded on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday after gelatin sticks were recovered near the route scheduled to be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the city.

The explosives were found near Thathaguni in Kaggalipura, close to the Prime Minister’s proposed movement route. Police have taken one person into custody in connection with the case and are currently questioning him at a secret location. An FIR has also been registered in the case.

Senior officers, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), are leading the investigation.

According to a report by News18, the suspect was detained from a house near Koramangala. Investigators are trying to determine why the gelatin sticks were kept near the route, who supplied them, and whether anyone instructed the accused to place them there. Police are also questioning the suspect’s parents as part of the inquiry.

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According to the report the case came to light after the man allegedly made a phone call to the Koramangala police station early in the Sunday morning, warning that explosions would occur near HAL and the Art of Living Foundation centre.

Following the alert, police teams immediately launched searches in both areas. While nothing suspicious was found near HAL, officers recovered gelatin sticks during checks around the Art of Living area. The caller was then taken into custody for detailed questioning.

During interrogation, investigators reportedly discovered that the man had made similar threat calls in the past whenever VIPs visited Bengaluru.

Police had previously detained and questioned him on several occasions. However, he was later released after it emerged that he was suffering from mental health issues, the report said.

This time, however, the actual recovery of gelatin sticks following the threat call has prompted authorities to intensify the investigation. Police suspect that at least two gelatin sticks had been thrown near a compound wall beside a bridge along the Prime Minister’s route.

Investigators are now trying to establish whether the detained man himself planted the explosives or whether others were involved. There is also suspicion that the gelatin sticks may have been placed by individuals opposed to the Art of Living organisation.

According to the report the explosives were detected before the Prime Minister’s movement and that security agencies acted swiftly to prevent any potential threat. Further investigation into the case is currently underway.