Kolkata, 16 May (H.S.): Kolkata Police has arrested a youth for allegedly sending a fake email to Bhabanipur Police Station claiming that a woman linked to terror outfit Al-Qaeda was planning a suicide attack to assassinate West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The police disclosed the development during a press conference at Lalbazar on Saturday and warned of strict action against those spreading false and panic-inducing information through emails and social media.

According to the police, the email was received by Bhabanipur Police Station on May 14. It claimed that a woman was preparing bombs for a suicide attack targeting the chief minister.

Following the alert, the police launched an investigation and, with the assistance of Garden Reach Police Station, traced and arrested the sender, identified as Hasnem Iqbal.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted that the claims made in the email were false. The police said the accused had a personal dispute with the woman named in the email and had attempted to falsely implicate her out of personal vengeance.

Investigators also found that the accused had allegedly sent similar fake emails earlier targeting several political personalities. Similar anonymous emails had reportedly also been sent to the Election Commission.

The police said strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to spread misinformation or create panic through fake threat mails.

Adhikari, who was sworn in as chief minister on May 9 following the BJP’s victory in the Assembly elections, represents the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where he defeated former chief minister Mamata Banerjee by over 15,000 votes. Security around the chief minister has been heightened following the threat email, police sources said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey