Gelatin sticks found near PM Modi's Bengaluru venue, probe launched
Synopsis
Two gelatin sticks were found near the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru just 90 minutes before PM Modi's scheduled visit on 10 May — not on his exact route, but close enough to trigger a joint police probe and sharp political accusations of a security failure by the BJP against the Congress-led Karnataka government.
Key Takeaways
Two gelatin sticks were recovered near the Art of Living Ashram , Kaggalipura-Tataguni , Bengaluru , on 10 May 2025 .
The packet was found approximately one-and-a-half hours before PM Narendra Modi's scheduled programme at the venue.
A police constable spotted the suspicious packet near a compound wall, 20–25 feet from the roadside and nearly 1 km from the NICE Road junction.
Bengaluru City Police and Ramanagara Police launched a joint investigation; DIG Girish confirmed the sticks were not on the PM's exact route.
Karnataka BJP president B.Y.
Vijayendra called it an "unpardonable failure" of the Congress-led state government.
Karnataka Police recovered two gelatin sticks near the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru's Kaggalipura-Tataguni area on Sunday, 10 May, approximately one-and-a-half hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled programme at the site. The discovery triggered an immediate security response and a joint investigation by multiple police units.
How the Gelatin Sticks Were Found
A police constable deployed on duty noticed a suspicious packet lying near a compound wall, situated approximately 20 to 25 feet from the roadside and nearly one kilometre from the NICE Road junction. Upon inspection, the packet was confirmed to contain two gelatin sticks. Police immediately secured the location, removed the sticks, and initiated precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident.
Investigation Under Way
Bengaluru City Police and Ramanagara Police jointly launched a probe following the recovery. Central Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Girish confirmed that an intensive inquiry was under way to determine how the gelatin sticks reached the spot and who had placed them there.
Point of View
Not just a sanitised route. The BJP's political response is predictable, but the underlying question of how explosives reached within a kilometre of the PM's venue is one that the Karnataka government must answer with facts, not deflections. This incident also underscores a recurring pattern: security gaps around high-profile visits tend to surface only after the fact, pointing to systemic coordination failures between central and state agencies.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found near PM Modi's Bengaluru venue on 10 May?
Two gelatin sticks were found in a suspicious packet near a compound wall close to the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru's Kaggalipura-Tataguni area. The discovery was made approximately one-and-a-half hours before PM Narendra Modi's scheduled programme at the site.
Were the gelatin sticks found on PM Modi's exact route?
No. According to DIG Girish, the gelatin sticks were not found on the exact road used by PM Modi — they were discovered beyond the footpath, away from the road, and nearly one kilometre from the NICE Road junction.
Who is investigating the gelatin sticks recovery in Bengaluru?
Bengaluru City Police and Ramanagara Police have jointly launched an investigation. The Anti-Sabotage Team and local police personnel were involved in detecting and securing the packet. DIG Girish is overseeing the inquiry.
What has the BJP said about the gelatin sticks incident?
Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra called the incident an 'unpardonable failure' of the Congress-led state government, alleging a major lapse in security arrangements and demanding strict action against any officials found negligent.
Why is the gelatin sticks discovery significant?
Gelatin sticks are industrial explosives. Their presence near a venue hosting the Prime Minister — who is entitled to the highest level of security protection in India — raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of advance security checks and inter-agency coordination.
