Karnataka hairdryer blast wasn't an accident but a murder plot

BAGALKOT: In a shocking twist to the incident of a hair dryer exploding in the hands of a woman recently, leaving her maimed, Karnataka police have arrested a person who allegedly planted a detonator inside the appliance with the intention to kill.

However, in a bizarre turn of events, it ended up maiming the accused's paramour rather than his purported target - a woman who was opposed to their relationship.

Accused is Siddappa Sheelavant alias Hudedmani, 35, of Kurtageri village in Karnataka's Koppal. The hair dryer was originally couriered to a woman, Shashikala, on Nov 15. Since she was not at home, she requested the delivery man to hand it over to one of her neighbours, Basavarajeshwari, to collect the parcel and open it. However, as soon as Basavarajeshwari switched it on, it exploded, severing her hands.

Though police had initially suspected an electrical short circuit as reason behind the blast, investigation revealed that it was Siddappa who had plotted to kill Shashikala for objecting to his affair with Basavarajeshwari. Sources said Siddappa and Basavarajeshwari were from the same village and were in a relationship. Their affair continued after the death of Basavarajeshwari's husband Papanna Yarnal, an ex-armyman.

Bagalkot SP Amarnath Reddy said a few months ago, Basavarajeshwari introduced her friend and neighbour Shashikala to Siddappa. Once Shashikala came to know about the affair, she advised Basavarajeshwari to avoid Siddappa, which she did. This angered Siddappa and led him to plot the lethal, booby-trap attack.

Police said Siddappa's job at a granite company for past 16 years had made him familiar with detonators and their use. He bought a hair dryer and fixed a detonator - commonly used for blasting rocks at quarries - in it.


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