Bomb scare: Cops say it was nothing but a dud

A day after a bomb-like object was discovered at a bus stop outside Delhi University’s Gargi College for women, the Delhi Police, even though they await a formal report from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL), are certain that it was nothing but a big, heavy dud — literally.

A day after a bomb-like object was discovered at a bus stop outside Delhi University’s Gargi College for women, the Delhi Police, even though they await a formal report from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL), are certain that it was nothing but a big, heavy dud — literally.

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According to sources, the amateurishly assembled object, wrapped in a torn black polythene bag and devoid of any timing device, was wrapped around a ‘heavy’, metallic and silver-coloured substance.

“The prankster(s) had used dried aluminium powder to add weight to the object containing wires, alkaline batteries and a ‘suspicious’, white, powdery substance that we are yet to ascertain the chemical composition of,” said a senior Delhi Police officer requesting anonymity.

A B.Com student awaiting a bus outside the college on Monday morning had spotted the suspicious object before bringing it to the notice of a PCR van parked on the opposite street.

Though eyewitnesses had claimed that they had heard at least one explosion as officials of the bomb disposal squad attempted to ‘defuse’ it.

Though they chose to remain tight-lipped about its chemical composition, the police, on Tuesday, too, maintained that in the absence of an explosive substance in addition to a triggering or timing device, the object could not have even caught fire let alone cause an explosion.

“We are awaiting the CFSL’s report on the object and are investigating it from several angles to ascertain the identity of the person(s) responsible for planting it,” said Rajan Bhagat, additional DCP and Delhi Police spokesperson.