Mysuru court blast: NIA, ATS, IB and state police collect evidence to connect missing links

It does come as a huge shock when you think of the blast that rocked the heritage city of Mysuru on Monday. But what is even more appalling is the absence of security officials in all 3 gates of a prime building - the court. And no CCTV cameras except for the front, which could have been a crucial piece of evidence.

"Yes, we have already held meetings with the bar council to look at all these security aspects and we are working on it," said B Dayananda, Mysuru Commissioner of Police.

BLAST TRIGGERS FEAR AND PANIC AMONG ADVOCATES

This has definitely triggered fear and panic among the advocates who were also eye witnesses during the blast. "There are 2000 people (on an average) who keep visiting the court. I saw the public toilet, which is behind the court building, enveloped in a cloud of dust. We are all agitated with regards to the lack of security, said BR Dinesh, Advocate, Mysuru.

The investigating team said that this is perhaps a deliberate move to cause panic and fear, rather than destruction of mankind or property. "There were no sharp nails used. Going by the materials used, it seems like an effort to establish that their organisation is active," said B Dayananda, Mysuru Commissioner. It also explains the apt timing with just 4 people who suffered minor injuries.

PRESSURE COOKER USED TO MAKE BOMB

With four teams from NIA, ATS, IB and the police force of Kerala and Karnataka working together, the last 48 hours were spent on collecting every piece of evidence to connect the missing links. "It seems like a pressure cooker was used. Be it the materials like steel or the modus operandi, there are striking similarities between this and the Chittoor blasts in April or the Kollam court blast in June," said B Dayananda. The teams together tried to get cookers in different sizes to see, which of those would have ideally been used comparing them with steel and iron pieces found.

MEMBERS OF FORENSIC TEAM GATHER EVIDENCE

The forensic team was collecting iron pieces, Panasonic shells and finger prints for further investigation. Since the CCTV at the entrance to the court has not recorded any suspicious movement so far, the NIA has reason to believe that he could have jumped into the area over the compound at the back, thereby proving to be the handiwork of a professional/professionals. Police sources also say that after analysing the circumstancial evidence, they suspect the possibility of the perpetrator placing the bomb just 10 minutes before it took off. The cleaner of the toilets as well as eye witnesses of the blast are simultaneously being interrogated.

The NIA is not ruling out links with the Bengaluru blasts as well. The one at BJP office as well as Church Street. Both the teams from Hyderabad and Delhi are here to further investigate.

While Kollam and Chittoor blasts have seen no headway in terms of any arrests or detention, people of Mysuru are hoping the investigation in this blast will not meet with the same fate.

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