Ballari, 10 March

Police have taken into custody the minor accused involved in the hostel of Gurukul International School in Ballari, who left one student dead and seven others seriously injured on Saturday night.

Addressing a joint press conference on Monday, Ballari Range IGP PS Harsha said the boy was traced after a 36-hour search operation. Acting on reliable information, police secured the student, a resident of B Gonal village.

Police teams analysed footage from nearly 7,500 CCTV cameras across the city to track his movements. Harsha said the case involves a minor and the investigation will follow provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar said teams also monitored routes leading to pilgrimage centres such as Srisailam Temple and Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple during the search.

Police said the boy will be questioned with the assistance of psychologists, doctors, and child protection officials. Authorities have also sought a probe into whether the hostel had proper permission and if there were lapses by the school administration.