An autorickshaw driver was booked in Maharashtra`s Palghar district for giving false information to the police about a bomb situation, an official said on Sunday, the PTI reported.

The suspect who was identified as 50-year-old Shyam Ramprasad Singh called up emergency services helpline 112 on September 13 and said a man had planted a bomb at a fire station and held come persons captive there, the Achole police station official said, according to the PTI.

“Police teams that were rushed to the site realised it was a hoax. On the complaint of an Anti Terrorism Squad member, Singh was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for giving false information to a public servant as well as other offences. He is yet to be arrested,” the official said, the news agency reported.

The incident comes days after Mumbai Police registered an FIR against an unidentified person over a fake bomb threat email received by the Bombay High Court on Friday.

The police have registered an FIR at Azad Maidan Police Station under section 353(1), 353(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which aims to address acts of public mischief by criminalising the publication of false information or alarming news through electronic means, or intends to create feelings of ill-will between different groups, or pushes soldiers of the Army, Navy, or Air Force to disregard their duty.

The High Court administration received a bomb threat email on Friday afternoon, which led to the suspension of hearings for nearly two hours.

However, it turned out to be a hoax as nothing suspicious was found on the premises.

In the email, the sender mentioned a bomb blast in the building.

After a thorough search, people were allowed entry, and the court resumed its functioning.

On September 12, the Delhi High Court received an email threat warning of a bomb in and around the court premises, which led to panic and disruption of the court proceedings.

Following the threat, all benches of the High Court rose immediately, and lawyers, litigants, and staff were evacuated from the premises. Later. the security forces, including Delhi Police and bomb disposal squads, swiftly cordoned off the area. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, firefighter vehicles and ambulances were also deployed in the area. The teams with sniffer dogs also searched the premises.

This threat email was addressed to the staff of the High Court, claiming that Pakistan and Tamil Nadu will collude for holy blasts.

“Pakistan Tamil Nadu collude for Holy Friday blasts. 3 bombs were planted in the judge`s room/court premises. Evacuate by 2pm,” said threat`s subject line.

The letter further added that the bomb will detonate shortly after Mid-Day Islamic Prayers. “The assets within the Police have been sown since 2017, for this Holy Friday. As a sample, today`s blast in your Delhi High Court will clear the doubt of previous bluffs. Judge Chamber will detonate shortly after Mid-Day Islamic Prayers,” claimed the letter.

Currently, the Delhi Police has registered an FIR over this matter today, and the Police have initiated an investigation into this matter and are looking into the source of the email. 

(With inputs from Agencies)

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