Bomb threat sent to Minister Duraimurugan’s house in Katpadi, Ranipet Collectorate

A bomb squad combed the residence of Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan at Katpadi in Vellore and Ranipet Collectorate complex over a hoax bomb threat issued through an e-mail on Wednesday.

Police said the threat email to Ranipet Collectorate, received around 11 a.m., warned of a possible explosion at the Collectorate and the house of Mr. Duraimurugan at Katpadi, leading to swift action by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad.

The Minister is staying at his official residence in Chennai to attend the ongoing session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. His son and Vellore MP, D.M. Kathir Anand, who was not present during BDDS searches, and his family members were residing at the house. .

Likewise, the Ranipet Collectorate complex houses government departments such as the District Collector’s office, District Revenue Office, Civil Supplies Department, Department of Geology and Mining, and the Agriculture Department.

Given the large number of departments functioning within the premises, the Collectorate witnesses heavy footfall every day, with hundreds of citizens visiting for various official purposes.

Following the bomb threat, the BDDS teams, assisted by sniffer dogs, conducted search operations in and around the premises — including parking lots and corridors at Ranipet Collectorate and the Minister’s house at Katpadi. The team did not detect any potential explosive devices. A case was registered by Ranipet Town and Viruthampattu police near Katpadi respectively. Further probe is under way.