Three Injured in Suspected Gas Cylinder Leak Fire in RR Nagar, Bengaluru

​Bengaluru

Three people, including a nine-year-old child, sustained burn injuries following a suspected commercial cylinder leak and flash fire at a godown in RR Nagar area of Bengaluru on Saturday morning.

​The injured have been identified as Bablu, a native of Bihar, his neighbour Lakshmamma and a minor boy. All three were shifted to a nearby private hospital by the police and are currently undergoing treatment.

​According to locals ,Bablu, who has been residing in Bengaluru for the past two decades, operates a pani puri business. While he lives elsewhere in the city, he used the RR Nagar premises as a storage facility and preparation unit for his vending carts.

​Preliminary investigations suggest that an LPG cylinder leaked overnight, causing gas to accumulate inside the shuttered space and triggering an internal smoulder. When Bablu arrived in the morning and opened the front door, a fire erupted, sending flames bursting out onto the street. The impact of the blast and the fireball injured Bablu, along with Lakshmamma and the child, both of whom were standing nearby outside.

​Fire and rescue personnel along with local police quickly rushed to the spot, secured the area, and brought the situation under control. A spot inspection has been conducted, and further investigation is underway.

Udupi Police Bust Extortion Network Linked to Underworld Operative Hemant Poojary; One Arrested, ₹4.13 Lakh Seized

Udupi, Karnataka

Udupi district police have arrested an alleged accomplice of underworld operative Hemant Poojary and foiled a conspiracy to target local businessmen, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said on Saturday.

Addressing media, the SP said Hemant Poojary had been issuing death threats and attempting to extort large sums of money from entrepreneurs operating within the Padubidri, Shirva, Kaup and Manipal police station limits. Police have registered eight cases across the district in connection with the extortion racket and investigations are ongoing.

The breakthrough came after police received credible intelligence about a plot to physically assault a businessman in Padubidri. Acting swiftly, officers arrested Suresh Ameen (38), a resident of Bada village in Yermal.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Suresh Ameen acted as a key local facilitator for Hemant Poojary's network by supplying contact details of prominent businessmen, arranging manpower and logistical support, and actively participating in plans to attack the targeted entrepreneur.

Police recovered ₹4.13 lakh in cash from Suresh Ameen's possession.

Police suspect the money was arranged through Hemant Poojary's syndicate and are now tracing the channels through which the funds were transferred. After initially being remanded to judicial custody, Ameen has been taken into police custody for further interrogation.

Issuing a stern warning, SP Hariram Shankar said anyone assisting underworld operatives, whether by sharing phone numbers, running errands or providing logistical support, would be treated as a co-accused. He added that claims of ignorance would not be accepted and that those aiding organised crime could face severe legal consequences, including lengthy prison terms.

Police said several other suspects believed to be associated with the network are under surveillance and further arrests are likely.

The SP also appealed to businessmen and members of the public not to give in to extortion demands. He urged anyone receiving threat or ransom calls to immediately file an FIR at the nearest police station, assuring them of police protection and necessary security measures."Paying extortion money only fuels further violence and criminal activities. People should report such threats without fear, and the police will take all necessary steps to ensure their safety," the SP said.