Karnataka Police justifies decision to arrest Chinnaswamy stadium blast accused (update)

Bangalore, May 8 (ANI): With the Bihar Government crying foul over the arrest of an alleged terrorist from Darbhanga district, the Karnataka Police on Tuesday justified its decision to arrest Mohammad Kafil in connection with the blast that took place outside Bangalore's Chinnaswamy stadium two years ago, saying the local police was not informed only because of the apprehension that the accused may run away or escape.

"The advance intimation could not be given to the local police because of the apprehension in the minds of our officers that he would run away, he would escape. So, this was the reason why the officers decided to inform the local police subsequently," said Joint Commissioner of Police (East) B. Dayanand.

He clarified that the Bihar DG spoke to him on the concerned matter.

"Well, let me clarify this. The Bihar DG, who is my batch mate, is known to me. He did speak to me this morning, but it was not a protest, let me first clarify. According to him, the police officers from Karnataka arrested a person named Mohammad Kafil Akhtar from a village called Barasmela in Darbhanga district. It falls in the limits of Keoti Police Station," said Dayanand.

"So, according to DG Bihar, the local police was not informed in advance and that they were informed subsequent to the arrest," he added.

The Joint Commissioner of Police further informed that a team of Karnataka Police arrested the accused on May 6.

"Well, I do not have the full details of the incident. I am waiting for the Karnataka team to return and also for a report from the Bihar Police. Only then I will be able to give you all the information. But from the available information, all I can say is that this person was arrested on 6.5. 2012, the day before yesterday afternoon," he said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier today described the arrest to be illegal and highly objectionable. He expressed displeasure that his government and the state police were not informed of the arrest.

Two low-intensity explosions near a packed Chinnaswamy cricket stadium less than an hour before an IPL match left 15 people, including five security men injured on April 17, 2010. (ANI)