Youth arrested for hoax message on threat to PM Narendra Modi

Police said Mishra (22) sent the message to the Varanasi collector on Friday morning. The message — in Hindi but typed in English — said the podium for the PM’s address would be blown up. The collector informed police and the number was tracked to Mishra. The counter-terrorism unit was immediately activated and the youth arrested.

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“Since the message was sent to the collector and was specific in nature, it wasn’t taken lightly. But after interrogation, we concluded that the message was a hoax. The accused was also interrogated by central intelligence agencies,” a senior police officer said.

“In the past, we had arrested a person planning to attack an American school in Mumbai. So, we didn’t want to take any chances,” he added.

During interrogation, Mishra claimed he was a fan of Modi and wanted to ensure foolproof security during his tour of Varanasi. Police said Mishra obtained the collector’s number online. “When we scanned his phone, we found he had even posted his views and suggestions on the PMO website. Around three days ago, he had also approached a rape victim’s family in UP and the police officer concerned for an update on the case,” the officer said.

Mishra, currently out of work, had failed in his BSc (IT) exams last year. While his family hails from Uttar Pradesh, he lives with his two brothers in Jogeshwari. “He has been remanded in police custody until September 23,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ATS) Sunil Darekar.

rashmi.rajput@expressindia.com