Man arrested for bomb threat during PMs’ visit had numbers of all central agencies on phone

BENGALURU: The city police, who are investigation a man who was arrested for making a bomb threat call during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday, were suprised to find contact numbers of all major places and key agencies in the country saved on his mobile phone.

The accused Lohith Krishna was arrested for making a threat call about planting a bomb during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The phone numbers of major investigative agencies like the Kempegowda International Airport, NIA, CBI, RAW, etc., were found on his mobile. The accused had made threat calls to different places on several occasions.

It is learned that Lohith’s phone number was already noted by the police. So, the police traced the accused very easily and quickly. It is also learned that the accused also sent emails to various places.

City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on Monday told media persons that during investigation, it was found that it was a hoax call. “A call was received at the control room yesterday morning. Based on the call, we have taken the accused into custody. He had said that a bomb was planted. But during verification, it was found that there was nothing of that sort. He has made such calls several times in the past too”.

“After making the call, he switched off his mobile. Later, we traced the location and tracked him down. Southeast division police and CCB are conducting the verification. Making such hoax calls is a serious offence. The accused was residing in Koramangala limits. We have sought information from doctors regarding his mental condition”, the police commissioner said.

Lohith Krishna had called the police control room and disconnected, saying he would detonate bombs near HAL airport and Ravishankar Ashram — places where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programmes were scheduled. Within an hour of the call, Koramangala police took the accused into custody.

The accused prayed at temples, churches, mosques after making the hoax call. Lohith had come from Hosur, Tamil Nadu, by BMTC bus and reached Koramangala around 6.30 am. A bus ticket from Hosur to Bengaluru was also found on him. He called the control room at 7 am. After making the call, he went to different places from a house in Koramangala and prayed at temples, churches, and mosques around Tilak Nagar.

The spot where two gelatin sticks were found.

During his interrogation, two gelatin sticks were found near Tataguni estate under Kaggalipura police limits. So, police suspected Lohith Krishna’s involvement and intensified the investigation. But prima facie, it was confirmed that he did not go there and throw the gelatin sticks.

Considering Lohith’s bus ticket, his time of arrival in Bengaluru and the time of the control room call were verified, investigating officers estimated that it was not possible for him to go to Tataguni and return in that time. Further investigation is under way.