New Delhi: A low-intensity bomb exploded inside the Civil Court premises in Patna on Friday, injuring a police officer who had brought the explosive for investigation purpose, news agency PTI reported. The sub-inspector has sustained injuries in his arm but is out of danger, Sabiul Haq, SHO of Pirbahore police station, under which the site of the incident falls, said.
"The injured SI, Umakant Rai, is posted at Kadam Kuan police station. Some crude bombs were seized in his area recently and he had brought these to the court as part of normal investigation procedure," PTI quoted the SHO as saying.
According to the report, sub-inspector Rai was carrying the bombs in a box for the purpose of investigation. He placed the box on the table of the assistant prosecution officer concerned when it exploded.
According to bystanders, they initially thought the sound was of a tyre burst, which is common in the area with heavy vehicular traffic.
However, later they realised that it was an explosion when they spotted Rai, covered in soot and writhing in pain.
According to Patna SSP Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, the explosion took place due to heat and friction as the explosive was kept inside a box. He further said that the SI was going to the court with it as it was one of the items seized during raids at Patel hostel earlier this week.
The SSP confirmed that apart from the SI, no other person has been injured in the incident on Friday.
The Pirbahore SHO said that investigations on the matter are underway to find out whether the bombs were properly defused before being brought to the court.