Kataka: The investigation into the series of bomb threat emails sent to the Orissa High Court has taken a fresh turn, with the Commissionerate Police probing a possible link to a software engineer arrested by the Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in a similar case.
Acting on intelligence inputs regarding the suspected origin of the threatening emails, a team from Kataka Police travelled to Tamil Nadu to gather evidence. The team has since returned after completing its preliminary inquiry.
The visit was aimed at verifying the possible involvement of Sharath Subramanyam Shankar, who was arrested by the Tamil Nadu ATS at Chennai airport on July 22 for allegedly sending bomb threat emails to institutions and establishments across multiple states, creating panic.
As Shankar is currently lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail, the Kataka Police could not question him directly during the visit. Instead, investigators shared all relevant details and evidence relating to the Orissa High Court bomb threat case with the Tamil Nadu Police and the ATS to facilitate further investigation.
Police sources said investigators are examining whether the accused has any connection with the threatening emails received by the Orissa High Court. If required, the Kataka Police may seek his remand for custodial interrogation as part of the ongoing probe.
Shankar, a native of Ambasamudram in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, had been working as a software engineer in Texas, United States. He was arrested upon his arrival at Chennai airport after a Look-Out Circular had been issued against him. Investigations into multiple bomb threat cases registered in different states against him are continuing.
