BJP leader G S Nagaraja, key accused in Chikkaballapura quarry blast arrested
Bengaluru, Feb 26: G S Nagaraja, one of the partners of the quarry and the prime accused in the Chikkaballapura quarry blast case has been arrested, police said.
Nagaraja, also a local BJP leader from Gudibande, who had been absconding since the blast was held on Thursday, police sources said.
Police have also picked up another person named Ganesh, who hails from Tamil Nadu and is said to be the person who regularly carried out blasting for the crusher unit, for investigation.
Six people were killed when the gelatin sticks they were trying to hide exploded accidentally at a stone quarry site at a village in Chikkaballapura district, early on Tuesday.
The incident was close on the heels of a similar blast at a quarry site in Shivamogga on January 22, which left six dead.
Police on Wednesday had announced the arrest of other three partners of the quarry-Raghavendra Reddy, Venkatashiva Reddy, Madhusudan Reddy- and employees Praveen and Mohammed Riyaz Ansari (driver), in connection with the case.
Gudibande Police Station Circle Inspector Manjunath and Sub-Inspector Gopal Reddy have been kept under suspension pending enquiry, on charges of dereliction of duty.
Police had raided the quarry and crusher unit on February 7 for illegally procuring and storing explosives, but had failed to do a thorough follow-up, and arrest the accused in the case, which if done could have prevented the explosion, officials said.
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RCB vs PBKS: Rain stops play in Dharamsala
Dharamsala, May 9: Rain stopped play in the Indian Premier League match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings here on Thursday.
Batting first, RCB were 119/3 in 10 overs when the heavens opened up. Virat Kohli was going strong on 42 off 23 balls, while Cameron Green had just walked in at the fall of Rajat Patidar. Patidar made 55 in 23 balls.
Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.
