Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday, 12 May said the state government would transfer the investigation into the alleged security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Bengaluru to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), provided the Central agency formally requests the case. The minister's remarks come amid growing scrutiny over two separate security-related incidents detected ahead of the Prime Minister's programme in the city.

Key Developments in the Security Probe

Two incidents have emerged at the centre of the investigation. First, a person allegedly made a phone call claiming that a bomb had been planted at the Art of Living Centre ahead of PM Modi's visit. Parameshwara confirmed the individual has been arrested and is currently being questioned by police. Second, gelatin sticks were reportedly recovered along the Prime Minister's convoy route. The Home Minister said police had secured all the materials and are conducting a formal investigation into the recovery.

What the Home Minister Said

Parameshwara emphasised that security arrangements for the Prime Minister's programmes are jointly managed by Central security agencies and the state government. He defended the police response, noting that the suspicious materials were detected nearly two hours before the programme commenced.

"There is a possibility of NIA officials joining the probe. I have learnt that the NIA has sought the case for investigation. If they formally ask for it, we will grant permission," he said.

He added that no conclusions could be drawn until the investigation was completed, and that details would be shared with the media only after the probe concluded.

Other Issues Addressed

Parameshwara also commented on the Supreme Court's stay on declaring a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate as winner in the Sringeri recount case. He said discrepancies in vote counting needed to be examined seriously and that officials responsible for any irregularities should be identified and held accountable. He noted that candidates from both parties had approached the courts and that the Supreme Court had stayed the declaration based on its assessment of the counting process. He added that allegations of tampering raised by Congress workers would be investigated with the assistance of forensic experts and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

On the question of Bengaluru civic body elections, the minister said the government was keen on conducting polls at the earliest but that procedural issues needed to be corrected first, with census work currently underway requiring adequate workforce arrangements.

Infrastructure and Welfare Remarks

Parameshwara highlighted the proposed Bengaluru–Tumakuru Metro project, saying a feasibility study had already been conducted and that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was expected by the following week. He said the project, if implemented, would benefit nearly one lakh commuters travelling between the two cities and reduce traffic pressure on Bengaluru.

He also defended the rural employment guarantee scheme introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, arguing that corruption allegations should not be used to discontinue the programme entirely. "If corruption has taken place, administrative measures can correct it, and action can be taken against those responsible. The entire programme should not be discontinued," he said.

With the NIA probe request reportedly already in motion, the next few days are likely to determine whether the investigation into the alleged security lapse shifts from state to Central jurisdiction.