Man held at Kerry's hotel in Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 1: A 53-year-old "mentally unstable" man carrying a blade was detained by the police after he tried to create nuisance at the hotel where US Secretary of State John Kerry is staying, police said today.

Uday Ratra, a resident of Haryana, was booked after he entered into a scuffle with the police and the hotel security staff who objected to his loitering in the lobby of the five-star hotel last evening, police said.

"He is mentally unstable. He was roaming around in the lobby of the hotel. The hotel security staff knew him as in the past too he had tried to enter the premises when foreign dignitaries were visiting," a senior police official said.

When Ratra was asked to leave the hotel premises, he started quarreling with the hotel security staff, the official added.

"The hotel staff informed Sarojini Nagar police station and the police rushed to the spot and apprehended him before he could create further trouble.

"He was not aware of Kerry's presence. It is a co-incidence that he came to the hotel on the day. When he was searched, a blade was found on him," added the official.

Police, however, said that the man has a history of creating nuisance when foreign dignitaries are here. "Even the US Embassy had informed us in advance on August 1 that he might create nuisance. The Canadian Embassy had also written about him once. We have detained him and he will be questioned," the officer added.

Ratra was booked under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty)and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt).

Kerry, who was on a three-day visit, yesterday postponed his departure from India by at least two days. US officials said the visit has been extended to enable Kerry to travel to China for G-20 Summit this weekend.

PTI