The investigation into the hair dryer explosion in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district has exposed a murder conspiracy.
Basamma Yarnal, a deceased army man’s widow, lost both her palms after a hair dryer exploded in her hands in Ilkal town. A man named Siddappa Sheelavantha, 35, of Kurtageri village in Koppal, has been arrested in connection with the incident.
On November 16, Basamma had received a courier addressed to her neighbour, Shashikala. The parcel bore the name of Shashikala and mobile number. However, since she was out of town when it arrived, Shashikala requested her to receive it on her behalf and open on her behalf. When she switched it on, the detonator activated leading to the blast.
Addressing the media, Superintendent of Police Amarnath Reddy said that the injured woman was in relationship with Siddappa.
“They both knew each other even before their marriage. The woman came in contact with Siddappa after her husband died. Siddappa has admitted to the relationship,” the SP said.
However, Shashikala advised Basamma to stay away from Siddappa and accordingly, she started distancing herself from him. An enraged Siddappa then planned to murder Shashikala.
Siddappa, who worked for a granite company, had access to detonator used to blast boulders. He bought a hair dryer and fixed detonator to it and couriered it to Shashikala. Since she was not in the town, she asked Basamma - the accused’s paramour - to receive the courier, the police said.