india

Updated: Sep 14, 2014 22:38 IST

The Udaipur Airport was put on high alert after an anonymous call was received by the facility, which threatened to disrupt Air India flights and create chaos across the country, if self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, presently in jail for an alleged sexual assault on a minor, is not released within 15 days, police said Sunday.

Udaipur additional superintendent of police (Rural) Rewant Dan said the call was made in the morning to the airport.

“The call was received by assistant manager Saroj Meena of the air traffic control at around 8 am,” said Dan.

“The caller said if Asaram was not released, Air India flights will be targeted and threatened to create mayhem across the country.”

Police have traced the SIM card of the phone from which the call was made and are trying to verify the caller’s identity, the ASP said.

“The SIM is issued in the name of one Dharmendra Kumar of Rani Kheda, in the Lal Ganj area of Rai Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to ascertain if the identity of the caller and the SIM card owner is the same.”

Dan said the Udaipur police are coordinating with its Uttar Pradesh counterparts to trace the caller.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the facility, has tightened security and increased its vigil, police said.

An FIR has been lodged against the anonymous caller at Dabok police and police has started investigations.

The controversial self-styled godman is lodged in the Jodhpur central jail since September 2 last year after he was booked in a sexual assault case.

A 16-year-old girl had lodged a police complaint on August 20, 2013, accusing him of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur.

Asaram’s supporters have on several occasions staged sit-in protests outside the jail and attacked police and media persons protesting against allegations, which they claim are false.