Underworld, betting lobby behind Bangalore stadium blasts: Karnataka govt

Karnataka government today said underworld elements and betting lobby were behind the April 17 twin low-intensity bomb explosions outside the Chinnaswamy Cricket stadium before an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

"Underworld normally has links with betting lobby. Some elements wanted to scare away people and shift the two IPL semi-finals from the city to Mumbai," home minister VS Acharya told reporters in Bangalore.

The probe into the explosions and recovery of crude bombs outside the stadium was progressing, he said but declined to divulge details.

The twin blasts had left at least 17 people injured.

A detailed report on the incident was sent to the Union home ministry which appreciated the security measures the police had put in place at the stadium and also the decision by the police commissioner to go ahead with the IPL match between Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians on that day.

Suspension of the match would have triggered panic and even a stampede while evacuating 30,000-odd spectators who had gathered at the stadium, Acharya said.

"The two matches were not shifted because of security reasons," he reiterated.