Explosion rocks Mysuru court complex, 3 injured

MYSURU: An explosion rocked a part of Mysuru law courts here late Monday afternoon, leaving three persons injured and windowpanes of a bathroom shattered.

A police officer said the blast occurred in the men's toilet in the southern tip of the court campus around 4.10pm. In the impact of the blast, shards of windowpanes filled the restroom, and some pieces were found near the neighbouring IV additional senior civil judge court. Police rushed forensic experts and a dog squad to gather evidence. Sources said a crude bomb or a pack of gelatin sticks were kept in a pressure cooker-like container inside the toilet to trigger the blast. However, a police officer said he wouldn't speculate on the cause of or motive behind the explosion as investigations are under way.

Newspaper agent Venkatesh and a schoolgirl who was hit by shrapnel outside the court compound were among the injured. At least 20 judicial officers were conducting trials when the explosion shook the complex. K B Prasad, IV additional (senior) civil judge, told TOI: “Hearing on an agreement was going on when I heard a huge, powerful blast.We were completely clueless.Commotion broke out on the campus immediately , and we rushed out to see shards at the doorstep of our courtroom.“

A judicial officer said the blast was like a firecracker had been burst, and thick smoke hung heavy and low at the premises. Nagarathna, a bench clerk, said fear gripped the complex for some time.

The sound of the blast was heard in a wider arc of areas from the court. Gangadhara, who was at an eatery near Chamundipuram, 2km away , came looking for the source of the sound. Mahadeva of Hangod, near Hunsur, who was standing some distance from the restroom, described the blast as “powerful“.

Sources said the blast could have been part of a design to threaten judicial officers conducting trials in criminal cases. Karnataka DG&IGP Om Prakash en quired with judicial officers about the important criminal cases being heard in the court and their status. Sources said Avva' Madesha, who has been ` handed life term in the Hunsur double murder case in February , was taken into cus tody on Monday in connection with another murder case.Madesha's brother Manjunath is also in police custody.

Home minster G Parameshwara, high court chief justice SK Mukherjee and others visited the spot.

Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.