NEW DELHI: Over 1400 kg of potassium chlorate, a chemical used in making bombs, has been recovered in Sadar Bazar area in Old Delhi. The chemical was illegally brought into the city from Mumbai, police said.

Also used for industrial purposes, the chemical was brought in by a Kirti Nagar based businessman who tried passing it off as plaster of Paris. Sources in the special cell said, just as ammonium nitrate, which was used in the Delhi high court blast , potassium chlorate can also be used to make bombs.

Sleuths of the special cell received an anonymous email informing them that a huge consignment of potassium chlorate would be brought into Delhi by the businessman from Kirti Nagar. It also gave details of the truck — belonging to a transport company in Sadar Bazar area — that was supposed to carry the consignment.

The document recovered from the driver stated the consignment was that of plaster of Paris, however, police found potassium chlorate instead. On being questioned, the businessman feigned ignorance alleging that the transporter in Mumbai had by “mistake” sent potassium chlorate in place of plaster of Paris.

Sources said a team would soon visit Mumbai for further investigations.

Police are also trying to verify whether the consignment was headed to Kolkata from Delhi.

