A man in Karnataka's Chitradurga district was killed on Tuesday when a bomb he had planted in his car exploded prematurely, according to police. The 32-year-old victim, identified as Ravi Kumar, had reportedly rigged the vehicle with explosives intending to die along with his ex-girlfriend, but the woman escaped unharmed.
Incident Details
The explosion occurred around 8:30 AM in a residential area of Chitradurga town. Police said Kumar had parked the car near his ex-girlfriend's house and detonated the bomb as she approached. However, the blast killed him instantly and caused minor injuries to two passersby. The woman, whose name has not been released, was about 10 meters away and suffered only shock.
Senior police officer Ramesh Gowda stated, "Preliminary investigations suggest Kumar was upset over the breakup and planned to kill her and himself. He used a crude explosive device made from ammonium nitrate and shrapnel."
Background
Kumar, a daily wage laborer, had been in a relationship with the 28-year-old woman for three years. She ended the relationship six months ago after repeated harassment. Police had previously mediated between them after she filed a complaint in December 2025. Kumar was warned but not arrested.
"We had counseled him multiple times, but he seemed determined to harm her," said Sub-Inspector Manjunath, who handled the earlier case. The woman had also obtained a protection order from the local court in January 2026.
Forensic Evidence
Forensic teams recovered remnants of a mobile phone trigger mechanism from the wreckage. Experts believe Kumar used a SIM card to activate the bomb remotely. The car was completely destroyed, and the explosion damaged nearby vehicles and shattered windows of three houses.
"The blast was powerful enough to kill anyone within 15 meters," said forensic expert Dr. Anita Sharma. "It's lucky the woman was not closer."
Impact and Reactions
The incident has raised concerns about stalking and domestic violence in the district. Women's rights activist Sunita Patil called for stricter enforcement of protection orders. "This shows that even legal interventions are not enough if the perpetrator is determined. We need better monitoring and support systems for victims," she said.
Police have registered a case of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of explosives. Investigations are ongoing to determine how Kumar obtained the materials.
The woman has been provided with police protection and is receiving counseling. Her family has requested anonymity. The two injured bystanders are in stable condition at a local hospital.
