Four powerful bombs exploded near the Patna civil court on Friday just before Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was to appear before designated Central Bureau of Investigation Judge Muni Lal Paswan in connection with a disproportionate assets case against him and is wife Rabri Devi.

At least two people were injured in the blasts. One of them, who was critically injured, was admitted to the government-run Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

The bombs exploded at Kulharia Market Complex on the busy Ashok Rajpath Road, about 50 metres away from the court campus, barely half an hour before Lalu was scheduled to appear.

Police officals said some unidentified criminals hurled the bombs near an electronic shop, a few metres from the road where Lalu was to pass through.

"This is the second time that the shop has been targeted by criminals in the recent past" said an official.

A senior police official said the bombs exploding near the court have nothing to do with scheduled appearance of Lalu in the court.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police N H Khan said the police have launched a hunt to nab the culprits behind the bombs explosion. "Then the exact reason behind the incident will be known," he said.

The security in the court and nearby area was tightened after the bombs blast in view of Lalu's appearance.