A 61-year-old man was injured in a minor explosion that took place near the chief judicial magistrate court complex inside the Kollam Collectorate at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15. The bomb is said to have been kept inside an unused jeep (KL - 1 G 603) of the labour department in the court premises.
The injured person, identified as a Congress worker Sabu, was reportedly standing near the jeep when the blast occurred. His condition is said to be not serious, even though he suffered injuries on eyes and nose.
As per the preliminary findings, a "steel bomb" was reportedly used for the blast and investigators are said to have recovered 17 batteries, gelatin sticks and fuse materials from the spot. They also suspect the usage of gun powder and a timer for the explosion. Latest reports also suggest that the minor explosion occurred minutes before the hearing of police officer Maniyan Pillai's murder case, in which notorious criminal Aadu Antony aka Antony Varghese is said to be the prime accused.
"I rushed out of my office after hearing the noise and saw smoke and fire at the court complex and a vehicle on fire," a woman said according to IANS.
More details awaited
Check the photos from the blast spot here:
