BANGALORE: A bomb exploded in the premises of the judicial magistrate's court in Hubli in north Karnataka on Saturday as the state held its first phase of assembly polls. There was no one present as it was a government holiday, police said.

The explosion took place between 1.30 and 1.40 p.m., damaging furniture and shattering glass panes, a police spokesperson said from Hubli, about 420 km from Bangalore.

"The bomb squad has been called to determine the nature of the device used," the spokesperson said.

Every second Saturday of the month is a government holiday in Karnataka. Offices and lower courts observe full working days on other Saturdays.