In a strange turn of events, a man from Ahmedabad threatened to immolate himself if the ongoing T20I series between India and England was not cancelled. The police took no time to launch an investigation into the matter after the man called a police inspector, who is a part of the security arrangement for the series in Ahmedabad, and told him about his shocking plans.
Notably, the threat comes in the wake of a sudden spike in the cases of coronavirus in the city. According to the police, an FIR was lodged at Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad after a caller, identifying himself as Pankaj Patel from Gandhinagar, called up senior police inspector KV Patel of Chandkheda PS on March 12 and threatened to immolate himself if the T20 matches between India and England continued. KV Patel is part of security arrangements at Motera stadium for the tournament.
Last week, an audio clip of the conversation between them had surfaced on social media, wherein the concerned caller was heard asking the officer whether the Covid-19 guidelines were being followed for the spectators at the stadium. He then demanded that the matches should be cancelled, else he will self-immolate saying that over 75,000 people are attending the matches at the newly inaugurated stadium which can pose a health risk. Not only that, the caller also abused Gujarat Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister while expressing his displeasure over the arrangement at the stadium, Indian Express reported.
The Police have booked the accused under IPC sections 505 (2) for trying to promote enmity, hatred, or ill will between classes, 504 for intentional insult, and 507 for criminal intimidation through anonymous communication.
“The man had called on my cell phone on March 12 and threatened to immolate himself if the matches are held. He also used abusive words for the Gujarat government, the Chief Minister, and the Deputy Chief Minister. When I asked his name, he told me he is Pankaj Patel from Gandhinagar. I immediately called up Gandhinagar police control room and shared his phone number with the officials,” K V Patel stated in the FIR, according to Indian Express.
