Youth fires airgun at RBI headquarters in Mumbai, held

A 27-year-old youth was arrested today for trying to forced his way into the fortified headquarters of the Reserve Bank here by firing from his air gun, police said.
The intruder, identified as Padma Girirao Shekhar, who hails from Kerala, told investigators that he did this for "publicity". However, police are verifying his claims.
The case has been transfered to the Crime Branch which usually probes underworld cases and serious offences.
Shekhar, hailing from Kochi, tried to force his way into the Mint Road headquarters of the apex bank in South Mumbai at around 4:15 pm, before he was overpowered by security personnel, police said.

An RBI spokesperson said the security personnel captured Shekhar who fired a shot in the melee. Nobody was, however, harmed by the firing.
Shekhar was then taken to the nearby MRA Marg Police station where police teams from th Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad and Crime Branch grilled him.

According to sources, Shekhar, a graduate, came here from Kerala yesterday and was staying as a paying guest in a hotel in Fort area of south Mumbai.
Retired Maharashtra DGP D Sivanandan, who is a security advisor to RBI, visited the police station and later told the media that the investigators were verifying if the intruder has any criminal background in his home state.

"The man tried to enter from the staff entry gate. While entering, he had pushed a guard and moved ahead when he was overpowered. He is also changing his versions. RBI's security is in place and effective," Sivanandhan added.