5 People Arrested, 2 Cops Suspended In Connection With Karnataka Quarry Blast

Unfortunate incident took place when the explosives were being shifted, K Sudhakar said.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the blast at a quarry in Chikkaballapura in which six people were killed, officials said.

Two police officials have also been suspended in connection with the case, they said.

Among those arrested are Raghavendra Reddy, one of the two partners of the quarry.

He was arrested from Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

Others arrested are said to be employees linked to the quarry. They are- Venkatashiva Reddy, Praveen, Mohammed Riyaz Ansari (driver) and Madhusudan Reddy, police said.

GS Nagaraj, another partner of the quarry, is still on the run, and police are looking for him.

Gudibande police station circle inspector Manjunath and sub-inspector Gopal Reddy were kept under suspension pending inquiry, on charges of dereliction of duty, officials said.

According to senior officials, despite earlier complaints against owners of the company involved in quarrying for illegal blasting and storage of explosives, the police officials had failed to arrest them.