New Delhi, April 29: A woman sent a threat SMS to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in a desperate attempt to draw his attention to her husband’s plight.
But the security agencies have not taken the threat SMS, sent by Sampa Gulia of Rohtak in Haryana, lightly. The Intelligence Bureau has issued a memo, putting the Special Protection Group men, guarding Rahul Gandhi, on high alert.
Rahul’s security detail was enhanced following the receipt of the SMS by his private staff that he will be abducted. The SMS initially sent the Delhi Police into a tizzy and it sanitised all areas in Rahul Gandhi’s vicinity including his Tughlaq Road residence.
Inquiries revealed that the woman’s husband is being held by Somalian pirates along with nine other hostages for the last nine months.
Gulia claimed she had sent the alarming text message in sheer desperation.
Her husband is a merchant navy officer and Somalian pirates have demanded a ransom of Rs 40 crore for his release along with other hostages.
Gulia had apparently tried to seek the Congress general secretary’s intervention in getting the government to make efforts to ensure her husband’s release.
She had also gone to meet Rahul Gandhi at his residence, but was unsuccessful.
The Delhi Police is reported to have taken a lenient view of Gulia’s act and has not pressed any charges.
–Agencies