Illegal Blasting Incident in Udupi's Karkala Taluk Leads to Police Case
In a concerning development, an illegal blasting incident was reported at Kukkundur village in Karkala taluk, Udupi district. According to police sources, two individuals allegedly used explosive material without any official permission to break boulders, raising serious safety and legal concerns.
Details of the Incident and Police Investigation
The incident is said to have taken place around 5 pm on January 21, 2026. Police received specific information that Ravichandra and Pavan had illegally blasted boulders using explosives without possessing the necessary licence. The location was identified as Nakre Hankradi in Kukkundur village, within Karkala taluk.
Upon receiving the tip-off, PSI Muraleedhar Nayak from the Karkala Town police station promptly visited the spot to conduct a preliminary inspection. Following this initial assessment, senior officers directed that the district scene of crime officer (SOCO) be called to the site for a more detailed examination.
Expert Report and Legal Action
The SOCO team carried out a thorough inspection of the scene. In their expert report dated January 23, 2026, they noted that the presence of wire debris and holes found on a rock strongly indicated the suspicion that explosive material had been used to blast it. This finding was crucial in establishing the illegal nature of the activity.
Based on this expert report, a formal case was registered at the Karkala Town police station. The accused have been charged under multiple sections of relevant laws, including:
- Section 9B(1)(b) of the Explosives Act
- Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act
- Sections 281 (rash driving) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS
This case highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face in regulating the use of explosives, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where such activities might go unnoticed without vigilant reporting and swift police action.
