CHENNAI: A 27-year-old man, who realised he was late to board a train and allegedly called up the city police control room to say a bomb planted in Kovai Express will go off at 6.15 am on Saturday, is now put behind bars.
The caller identified himself as Naveen Kumar and told police that a bomb had been planted on the train and said he had overheard three persons talk about it at Central station.
Police with the assistance of sniffer dogs conducted a thorough search of the train.
“Initially, the caller said his friends played a prank using his mobile phone as it was his birthday,” said police. During enquiry, it was found that his name was Praveen Kumar, a native of Vellore staying at Kodambakkam. He was employed in a private firm in the city.
“On Friday night, he decided to go home for the weekend by Kovai Express from Central at 6.15 am. However, on Saturday he woke up late and wanted to buy time to reach Central. He called the control room and issued the bomb threat so that the train departure may be delayed. He did not have any other intention.” the officer said. Vadapalani police arrested Praveen Kumar. He was later remanded to judicial custody.