Threat call made to Gadkari will be thoroughly investigated: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai

According to police, Pujari had also allegedly claimed that he was a member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang.

“The call was made from Hindalga jail. We are getting the entire thing investigated. We have taken the matter various seriously,” Bommai told reporters in Hubballi.

The chief minister also said they would do a background check of the person who made the call.

Pujari, who was sentenced to death by a court in a murder case, had escaped from jail in 2016 but was later arrested by the Karnataka police.

Prima facie, he made the call using a mobile phone from the jail, a senior officer said.

Also read: ‘Santro’ Ravi brought to Mysuru 

Motive is under investigation

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the motive of the caller is under investigation and the Karnataka Police are extending assistance.

A crime branch team of Nagpur Police led by an assistant inspector reached Belagavi late Saturday night

At least three threat calls were received on the landline number of Gadkari’s Public Relations office in the Khamla area in Nagpur between 11.25 am to 12.30 pm on Saturday, following which security was strengthened at the home and office of the Nagpur MP who belongs to the BJP.

“Pujari was sentenced to death by a court in a murder case. He is a dreaded goon who managed to escape from jail in 2016. Later, he was arrested by the Karnataka police,” the officer said.

He said Pujari had made threatening calls to some senior officials in the past.

“The caller had told the phone operator at Gadkari’s office that he is a member of the D gang and demanded ₹100 crore from the minister. He threatened to harm the minister with a bomb if his demand is not met,” police had said earlier.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis said the investigation into the threat call will continue till the caller’s motive was ascertained.

“The investigation is on to understand how a mobile phone reached the concerned prison and what was the motive behind making the call,” he added.

(With inputs from PTI)