The inquiry report prepared and submitted by Titas Gas in explosion at West Tolla Mosque in Narayanganj was "completely false and fabricated," said the mosque committee and local inhabitants.

They said though the mosque had no gas line on its own, gas entered the mosque through a line situated on the north side. When contacted for repairing the gas line, Titas Gas authorities demanded Tk 50,000 bribe from the committee.

The mosque committee raised the issue to the devotees at different times, and many of them started to donate money. But, the gas line was not repaired as Tk 50,000 for bribe could not be mobilised subsequently.

However, the committee has admitted that though there was an electricity line, the committee took an illegal connection during the month of Ramadan for receiving uninterrupted supply of power.

Moreover, the gas pipeline was installed after the construction of the mosque, the committee said.

Locals said the mosque committee had requested the devotees to donate money for repairing the gas pipeline. Then some of the devotees donated money.

The pipe has been remained abandoned for many years. Six leakages were developed on it due to remaining abandoned on the earth over the years. After developing the leakages on it, a portion of the gas line with leakages entered the mosque and caused the explosion.

"Who can blame us? There was no gas line underneath the mosque. It is still not there. We can prove it. It is true that the gas line has gone through along the mosque," one of the locals said expressing anonymity.