Within 12 hours of that first call, the accused was tracked down and arrested in the Rodibelwala area. The phone he allegedly used was seized
HARIDWAR — What started as a booze-fuelled rant ended with flashing lights and handcuffs, as Haridwar was thrown into a brief panic after a man rang Dial 112 and vowed to “blow up the city” within four days.
The caller didn’t stop at one. Police say he bombarded the emergency control room with repeat calls late on Sunday, spewing threats to target Haridwar’s crown jewel, Har Ki Pauri, and hurling abuse at officers — including women constables who picked up the phone. He also took shots at senior state and national officials.
Cops identified the man as 30-year-old Sohan Singh Rawat, from Pata village in Yamkeshwar, Pauri Garhwal. Within 12 hours of that first call, he was tracked down and arrested in the Rodibelwala area. The phone he allegedly used was seized, The Observer Post reported on Monday.
How It Unfolded
Night of May 17: Haridwar’s city control room gets the first threatening call. The voice on the line warns of bomb blasts across the holy town in the next four days.
With Har Ki Pauri and other sensitive spots in the crosshairs, police kicked security into high gear. Surveillance was tightened, patrols increased, and a case was registered against an unknown caller.
Under SSI Gopal Dutt Bhatt’s watch, teams traced the number. The trail led straight to Rawat.
When questioned, Rawat reportedly owned up. His excuse: he was “heavily intoxicated” when he made the calls.
SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar didn’t mince words: “The accused is addicted to alcohol and, under the influence of intoxication, made false and misleading calls to Dial 112.”
Police say Rawat has no prior criminal record. Still, given the gravity of threatening a major Hindu pilgrimage city, they aren’t taking it lightly. Legal action has been initiated under relevant sections, and he will be produced in court after questioning.
City Kotwali in-charge Kundan Singh Rana said the threat was treated with utmost seriousness to prevent public panic, adding that swift action was key to calming nerves in the temple town.
One drunk dial, multiple threats, 12 hours to arrest. Haridwar’s scare turned out to be a hoax, but the hangover for Rawat is going to be legal.
