Delhi Police arrested a man from neighbouring Faridabad over a bomb hoax at India Gate
The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested a 40-year-old man from Haryana's Faridabad for allegedly making a hoax call about an impending bomb blast at India Gate, officials said.
The man was identified as 40-year-old Rakesh Mehta, a labourer who lives with his mother and two brothers in Faridabad's Deepali Enclave, they said.
A call was received around 1:40 PM on Monday. The caller said that within the next five minutes, there would a bomb blast at India Gate, the police said.
Within minutes, a police team along with emergency officer and PCR staff reached the spot. Since it was a critical call, bomb disposal team, water bowser and fire tenders were also alerted to reach the spot immediately, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said.
Meanwhile, the police also made several attempts to establish contact with the caller, but he could not be reached, he said.
Initially, it was found that the caller lived in Govindpuri in Kalkaji area of Delhi. But when a police team reached the Govindpuri address, it found that the person had shifted to another place five-six months ago, Mr Singhal said.
The police team then managed to trace his current location to Vinay Nagar, Faridabad but he was not found there as well, he said.
Later, a team of Delhi Police's Special Cell caught Rakesh Mehta from his residence at Deepali Enclave. He was brought to Tilak Marg police station in Faridabad for a joint interrogation in the early hours of Tuesday, he added.
During interrogation, it was found that Mr Mehta was under the influence of alcohol when he made the call, the police said. It was also learnt that he was "frustrated" about "not being married" even at the age of 40, they said.
Police, however, do not suspect any foul play.
Preventive action under relevant sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is being taken against Rakesh Mehta. He was taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a medical check-up, the police said.
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