NATIONAL Highway 48, Kallambella in Karnataka's Tumakuru district, was rocked today as a 30-year-old man died in a powerful explosion inside a car following an alleged kidnapping of a woman. The victim and the vehicle's driver survived the blast, but the man died at the scene after the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
The deceased was identified as Nagendra, a resident of Ankola in Uttara Kannada district. Police officials, including Tumakuru Superintendent of Police Venkatesh, visited the site and conducted an inspection. Another live explosive device was also discovered near the scene, and there was speculation over the planning behind the incident, the authorities said.
Nagendra and Ramya were known to each other for many years, according to preliminary information. Both were Ankola natives and had been in a relationship for nearly seven to eight years. Ramya was working in the lab for a hospital in Bengaluru, and Nagendra was a delivery executive.
They say the two had differences over marriage. Ramya had refused to marry Nagendra, police say, and there were disputes between them.
After the dispute, Nagendra was planning to confront Ramya. Police suspect he hired a rental car and headed to the paying guest accommodation where Ramya was staying in Bengaluru. He is alleged to have taken her to the car and driven off before leaving the city. Authorities are also looking at whether he had brought a locally made explosive device with him.
In another instance, when Ramya went missing, one of her friends had filed a complaint with Siddapur Police Station, and the police were looking for her.
As the vehicle was driving along the highway near Sira in Tumakuru district, Nagendra and Ramya got into an argument, and Nagendra allegedly assaulted Ramya with a weapon. In the process, Ramya jumped out of the moving vehicle and managed to save herself.
Police said the driver stopped the vehicle and rushed to assist the injured woman. Nagendra locked all the doors of the car from the inside. Seconds later, the police said.
Investigators believe he then detonated the explosive device that he had been carrying. The blast destroyed the vehicle and started a fire. Nagendra was trapped in the burning car and died on the spot.
The explosion left the vehicle charred beyond recognition and caused panic among motorists on the busy highway. Emergency services and police rushed to the scene soon after news of the blast came out.
The police are investigating the sequence of events and the source of the explosive material. A forensic team will be sent from Bengaluru to assist in the investigation. Police are also investigating whether the explosive device was made by the deceased or obtained from another source.
A joint investigation is currently being carried out by Siddapur and Kallambella police, officials said. Forensic analysis and witness statements are pending, they said.
