Bagalkote: In a shocking twist to the mysterious hair dryer explosion in Ilkal town, Bagalkote district, police have uncovered a premeditated murder plot. The incident, initially thought to be an accident, turned out to be the handiwork of Siddappa Sheelavant, a 35-year-old quarry worker, who had malicious intentions of killing Shasikala, his girlfriend’s neighbour.

The motive behind the crime

Siddappa Sheelavant, a resident of Kushtagi Taluk in Koppal district and an employee of a granite company, used his knowledge of explosives from the granite industry to carry out the plan.

  • Sheelavant suspected Shasikala of creating a rift between him and his girlfriend, Basava Rajeshwari.
  • Rajeshwari, a widow, was in a relationship with Sheelavant. However, her growing friendship with Shasikala in recent months led to tension in their relationship.
  • Angered and consumed by jealousy, Sheelavant decided to eliminate Shasikala, believing she was responsible for his troubles.

The deadly plan

Sheelavant executed his plan by embedding a detonator into a hair dryer, a common household appliance, and sending it to Shasikala’s address via courier.

  • The device was intended to detonate when Shasikala used it.
  • However, on November 15, when the package arrived, Shasikala, preoccupied with other tasks, passed the dryer to her neighbour Rajeshwari to check.
  • Rajeshwari unsuspectingly switched on the hair dryer, triggering the explosion.

The blast caused severe injuries, ripping apart Rajeshwari’s palm, police confirmed.

Investigation and arrest

The unusual nature of the explosion led the police to investigate the case thoroughly.

  • Forensic examination and interrogation pointed to Sheelavant’s involvement.
  • Upon questioning, he confessed to his crime, detailing his motivations and how he constructed the explosive device.
  • He has since been arrested, and further investigations are underway.

Public reaction and concerns

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community in Ilkal town and raised concerns about the misuse of industrial knowledge for criminal activities. The ability to repurpose tools from the quarry industry for such heinous purposes has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of explosive materials.

Conclusion

This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of how jealousy and unchecked emotions can lead to devastating consequences. The police’s swift action in uncovering the truth behind the hair dryer blast has brought some relief to the affected families and serves as a cautionary tale for others.