Hoax bomb call: Man from Mumbai held

Bengaluru: The Central Division police arrested a 38-year-old Mumbai-based man for making a bomb-hoax call to the city police control room on December 31.

The accused, identified as Devendra Panchal Natwar, a resident of Kalyan in Mumbai was picked by the city police from his home-town, based on the details provided by his wife.

According to the police, the accused had said in his statement that he was upset that his wife had deserted him and left for Bengaluru with her boyfriend. She began working as a bartender in the city.

Panchal came to the city and traced her. After he failed to win her back after repeated attempts, he hatched a plan to teach her a lesson.

The accused purchased a mobile phone with Bengaluru sim-card, using fake documents, and made calls to the city police control room that bombs have been planted in and around MG Road. He also gave the name and vague details of his estranged wife and alleged that she was involved.

The police realised it was a hoax call and traced the woman, after a search the city on New Year’s Eve. After detailed questioning police zeroed in on Panchal who was arrested on Wednesday.