6 Bengaluru cops suspended after explosives found near PM Modi's convoy route

New Delhi,UPDATED: May 25, 2026 07:41 IST

Six police personnel have been suspended in connection with the recovery of gelatin sticks near the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bengaluru earlier this month, officials said on Sunday.

The suspensions were ordered by the Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), pending completion of an enquiry into the incident, which has triggered concerns over a possible security lapse during the Prime Minister’s May 10 visit.

According to police officials, the gelatin sticks were discovered during routine security sanitisation and checking operations conducted ahead of PM Modi’s arrival.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Bengaluru, said two gelatin sticks were found lying near a footpath on the outskirts of Bengaluru, around three kilometres away from the main event venue that the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit.

“Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival, during the checking, two gelatin sticks were found on the side of the footpath, nearly 3 kms away from the main venue where PM Modi was scheduled to arrive. Further investigation is underway,” the DIG said.

Officials said the six policemen have been placed under suspension until the enquiry is completed. Police have launched a detailed probe to determine how the explosive material ended up near the Prime Minister’s route and whether there was any deliberate attempt to compromise security arrangements.

The suspensions come days after at least two gelatin sticks were recovered near an event venue ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on the outskirts of Bengaluru on May 10, triggering a major security scare and an intensive police probe.

The explosive materials were found near an ashram close to Kagalipura, around three kilometres from the main venue where the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend a programme later in the day.

According to police, the gelatin sticks were discovered during routine security sanitisation and checks conducted before PM Modi’s arrival.

“Before PM’s arrival, during checking, two gelatin sticks were found on the side of a footpath, nearly 3 kms away from the main venue where PM Modi was scheduled to arrive,” police said.

Following the recovery, security agencies immediately cordoned off the area, while bomb disposal and forensic teams were rushed to the spot for examination. Police subsequently launched a detailed investigation into how the explosives reached the area and whether there was any deliberate attempt to compromise security arrangements.

Following the incident, Karnataka BJP president and MLA BY Vijayendra had sharply criticised the Congress government in the state, calling the recovery of gelatin sticks an “unpardonable and grave failure”.

In a post on X on May 10, Vijayendra alleged that law and order had “completely collapsed” in Karnataka under the Congress government.

“There should not be even the slightest lapse when it comes to the security of the country's respected Prime Minister, who must be provided maximum protection,” he said, while demanding strict action against those responsible as well as officials found negligent.

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With ANI inputs