R-Day security: Hoax call sends security agencies into a tizzy

New Delhi, Jan 22: Security agencies were sent into a tizzy ahead of the Republic Day celebrations when a PCR call was received from a man who threatened to blow up the Parliament House on Jan 26.

The call was traced back to Noida following which Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Noida police was immediately contacted. The caller turned out to be a Noida-based man named Sham Lal, who works as a driver for a private individual.

He was nabbed from Kapashera border, the police said. "Sham Lal was then brought to Parliament Street police station in New Delhi, where he was subjected to a joint interrogation by several intelligence agencies. Intense interrogation and through background check revealed that it was a hoax call and he has no connections with any terrorist outfit," a police official said.

A case has been registered against Lal, who is in his early 30s, under relevant sections of the IPC, the official said, adding that he has been sent to the Tihar Jail.

Delhi remains on high alert ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in which US President Barack Obama will be the Chief Guest.

PTI