Forensic experts start investigation into court blast

Hubli, May 11 (UNI) A team of forensic experts today began their investigation into the blast that ripped through the court hall at the city court complex yesterday.

A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted beneath the witness box, went off in the court room of JMFC-I here where the case of nearly a dozen arrested SIMI activists, who had made the district as their base, was being heard.

Cases relating to two suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba, arrested in Davangere district, was also being heard in this court.

The security in several places in this communally-sensitive city had been beefed up following the explosion in the court yesterday afternoon.

The forensic experts team, led by Mr Jayaram, arrived here from Bangalore this morning and visited the blast spot. Another team of the National Security Guard had also arrived from Delhi for the assessment of the blast.

Though there were no casualties in the incident, as the court was closed on account of second Saturday, the main door and furniture of the court hall were destroyed. Debris were thrown quite a distance due to the impact of the blast.

Commissioner of Police Narayan Nadamani, told reporters today that some vital clues had been obtained.

He claimed that it could be the handiwork of suspected terrorists of the outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and SIMI.

He said four teams headed, by Deputy Commissioner of Police D Prakash, had been formed for further investigation of the incident and almost all the vital points in the city had been covered and tight vigilance was kept around the clock.

Special security arrangements had been made at the court complex, where suspected terrorists would be produced for further hearing tomorrow.

Everybody would be allowed to pass through a single gate after thorough checking, Mr Nadamani said, adding this might cause some difficulty for the public but they have to cooperate for the time being.

Former chief minister H D Kumarswamy, who was here in the city this morning expressed shock over the blast and said there should be no targeting of any single community for the incident and it should not be used for political gains.

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