BUDGET SESSION
About 1,000 tourists were evacuated from the world-famous monument after the hoax call and it was declared safe after an extensive search and screening operation lasting several hours
Total sittings 10 Total duration of proceedings 65 hours 31 minutes Adjournment period two hours 45 minutes Bills passed 18
AGRA : A 28-year-old man, who allegedly made a hoax call about a bomb on Taj Mahal premises causing a flutter among visitors and security personnel and forcing an evacuation of the premises, was arrested from Narkhi area in Firozabad district on Thursday afternoon.
The man admitted that he had made the call to the police control room on Thursday morning. His family members, however, claimed that he was mentally challenged.
Police said around 1,000 tourists were evacuated from worldfamous monument after the hoax call. Tourists were ordered to leave the premises, which were overtaken by security personnel, who later declared it safe for visitors after an extensive search and screening operation, which could not locate any explosives as claimed in the hoax call, said officials.
The monument was reopened to visitors at 11.15 am, about oneand-a-half hours after it was evacuated, they added.
IG/ADG of Agra range A Satish Ganesh said: “The accused was identified as Vimal Kumar and his last location was traced to Firozabad, about 60 km from Agra. Police at Firozabad were informed and the accused was arrested and brought to Agra.”
“Interrogation of the accused is on to know why he did the mischief. Initial impression that the interrogating team got was that he is not of sound mind. The family members of the accused
also claimed that he was under treatment for his ailment,” Ganesh said.
In a recorded statement, which veers around different topics, the accused admitted that he made a call to Agra police and asked for enhancing security near a private hospital in Agra.
“I had some doubts and thus raised an alarm about bomb on Taj Mahal premises and in nearby area,” admitted Vimal Kumar in the recorded statement.
He also talked about a recruitment rally for army, which was cancelled. “As the recruitment rally was cancelled, boys will prepare for next time,” he added.
“The accused has been taken in custody and case has registered against him under section 505 (intent to incite) and 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of Indian Penal Code at Loha Mandi police station of Agra,” said Agra SP (city) Rohan Pramod Botre.
Interrogation of the accused is on to know why he did the mischief. Initial impression that the interrogating team got was that he is not of sound mind. A SATISH GANESH, IG/ADG of Agra range