Bhopal: In a major breakthrough, police have detained a 30-year-old man in connection with the explosion at a temple complex in Sagar district and said the incident was not terror-related but linked to a marital dispute, with the suspect allegedly trying to frame his wife and others.
Investigators said the accused had no connection with the injured family, who were targeted at random. "It's a marital dispute and the suspect wanted to implicate certain people who he believed had influenced his wife to leave him," a senior officer said.
The blast, which took place on Tuesday night at the Budhi Rangir temple complex in Harsiddhi Devi Dham, injured Radheshyam Raikwar (48), his wife, and their 11-year-old daughter Sanjana.
The girl remains under treatment in Bhopal with serious injuries, while her parents are stable.
Police said the explosion was triggered by an improvised device concealed inside a wired wooden speaker-like box, which had been left outside the family's coconut and prasad shop. The object, which appeared harmless, was brought inside by the shopkeeper before it exploded. Sources said the suspect had prior experience handling explosives at mining sites, and one of his relatives is involved in the sale of detonators.
Police and forensic teams have collected evidence from the site. Officials confirmed that the terror angle has been ruled out, and the probe is now focused on establishing the suspect's role, planning, and execution of the act.