Six Karnataka Policemen Suspended After Gelatin Sticks Found Near PM Modi Route

Six policemen in Karnataka have been suspended after gelatin sticks were discovered near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s route during his visit to Bengaluru on May 10, raising serious questions about VIP security arrangements and administrative accountability.

The suspensions were ordered by the Superintendent of Police, Bangalore South (Ramnagar), while a detailed inquiry into the incident continues. The development has also sparked a political confrontation between the ruling Congress government in Karnataka and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the opposition accusing the state administration of a major security lapse.

According to officials, the personnel will remain suspended until the completion of the investigation.

What Exactly Happened During PM Modi’s Bengaluru Visit?

The incident came to light on the morning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru, when security personnel were conducting routine checks ahead of his arrival.

According to police officials, two gelatin sticks were found lying near a footpath on the outskirts of the city. The location was reportedly around three kilometres away from the main venue where the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend an event.

“Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival, during the checking, two gelatine 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 Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Central Range, Bengaluru said.

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed whether the gelatin sticks were connected to any larger conspiracy or whether they were abandoned materials unrelated to the Prime Minister’s visit. Investigators are now examining how the explosive material ended up near a high-security route despite extensive security preparations.

Why Is the Discovery of Gelatin Sticks Being Treated Seriously?

Gelatin sticks are explosive materials commonly used in mining, quarrying and construction-related blasting activities. However, when discovered near a Prime Ministerial route, they automatically trigger high-level security concerns because of the potential risk they could pose.

Prime Ministerial visits in India involve multiple layers of security coordination between local police, intelligence agencies and Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel. Security routes are typically sanitised hours before movement begins, making any discovery of explosive material a matter of grave concern.

The suspension of six policemen suggests that authorities believe there may have been lapses in surveillance, route sanitisation or overall security coordination.

Police officials have not yet disclosed the exact responsibilities of the suspended personnel or whether negligence has been established.

How Has the BJP Reacted to the Incident?

The incident quickly turned political, with Karnataka BJP leaders strongly criticising the Congress-led state government over what they described as a breakdown in law and order.

On May 10, Karnataka BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra described the discovery of the gelatin sticks as a major security failure.

“Law and order and security have completely collapsed in the state under the Congress government, and that too in the capital Bengaluru,” he said in a post on X on May 10.

He further added, “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. The state government must treat such a sensitive and serious matter with utmost seriousness, conduct a thorough investigation immediately, and not only identify and punish the miscreants behind the act, but also take strict action against officials who were negligent.”

The BJP has repeatedly accused the Karnataka government of failing to maintain public safety and administrative discipline in Bengaluru and other parts of the state.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

Police have launched a detailed investigation into how the gelatin sticks reached the area and whether there was any deliberate attempt to compromise security during the Prime Minister’s visit.

Investigators are expected to examine CCTV footage, trace the origin of the explosive material and question officials involved in security deployment and route clearance operations.

The inquiry will also determine whether the incident resulted from negligence, procedural failure or any larger security threat.

For now, the suspension of the six policemen indicates that authorities are treating the matter with seriousness as scrutiny intensifies over security arrangements during one of the country’s most high-profile political visits.

(With inputs from ANI)