Gelatin Sticks Found Along PM Modi's Convoy Route in Bengaluru

Two gelatin sticks were recovered from a packet abandoned near Vaderahalli Gate in Bengaluru, along the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy, around 10:30 a.m. on May 10, 2026, roughly half an hour before the Prime Minister passed through en route to the Art of Living Ashram. The discovery was made during an anti-sabotage check by a police team, prompting an immediate security alert.

The Prime Minister had arrived at HAL Airport from Delhi and was traveling by road to attend the 45th anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation and the 70th birthday event of its founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Authorities had cleared petty shops near the site as part of security preparations. The packet was found about 20 feet from the road, and the area was secured before Modi's convoy passed without incident.

A 40-year-old man, Lohith, was detained in Koramangala after calling the police control room around 7:30 a.m. to threaten explosions near HAL Airport and the Art of Living premises. Police said he has a history of making hoax threats during VVIP visits and exhibited signs of mental instability, claiming during interrogation to have worked for Indian intelligence, ISRO, and the British Empire. Authorities say there is no evidence yet linking him to the gelatin sticks.

The Kaggalipura Police have registered a case under the Explosives Act, 1884, and six investigative teams have been formed to trace the origin of the gelatin sticks. The Bengaluru South Police are probing how the packet was placed along the secured route.

The investigation remains ongoing, with officials from the Central Range confirming a probe into both the threat call and the recovery of the explosives. The court will take up the suspect's custody matter on Tuesday.