Youth arrested in Mumbai for threat call to PMO

MUMBAI: A 22-year-old youth was arrested by DB Marg Police on Friday after he allegedly called up the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and warned of a “chemical attack.” Kashinath Mandal, 22, who works as a security guard, called the PMO from his mobile phone at 5 pm on Friday. Since the call was made from Mumbai, Mumbai Police were informed about the matter within two hours. Since the phone call was made from Mandal’s number, the NSG informed Mumbai Police about the call. His location was tracked to Mumbai Central railway station. He was arrested just as he was about to board a Suratbound train on Friday. Mandal is a native of Jharkhand. During investigation, he told the police that his friend had been recently killed in a Naxal attack in Jharkhand and so he wanted to meet the Prime Minister. Mandal was produced at the Esplanade court and has been remanded in police custody. He resides in a slum at Walkeshwar. According to Suryakant Bangar, Senior Police Inspector, DB Marg Police, “We were informed by the NSG regarding the call. He has been arrested. During interrogation, he informed us that he wanted to meet the PMi to discuss the death of his friend who was killed in a Naxal attack. We will interrogate him further to ascertain the exact motive behind his call.” Mandal has been booked for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes (Section 505 (1) and (2)) and false information with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person (Sec 182) of the IPC. - Staff Reporter