Prank calls are fun between friends. But this man took things a bit too far. He made a hoax call and sent law enforcement officers on a wild goose chase.
Here’s what happened
Shivkumar Gautam is a 36-year-old resident of Mumbai. According to the Times of India, on January 3 he made an unusual phone call to the assistant police inspector Vinod Jadhav. He pretended that he was abducted near Tungareshwar Phata on Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in Vasai (East). He didn’t furnish further information, stating that unknown men were taking him to an unknown destination.
Thereafter, he switched off his mobile phone. A team was sent to search the area but it turned out to be a fool’s errand. After unsuccessfully interrogating locals and trying to trace his phone, the police decided to visit his home for some leads.
When the team arrived at his house on January 4, they were flabbergasted to find him sound asleep. On being questioned, he admitted to it being a fake call “for fun”. He even went on to say that he didn’t think his call would be taken seriously.
This was his punishment
The police promptly arrested him under IPC section 182 (for providing false information, with an intention to make a public servant use his lawful power to the injury of another) and produced him to Vasai court. He spent some time in jail until the court levied a fine of INR 1000 on him. He was sent home after his fine was duly paid.
Do you guys think he was let off too easily? Should have been given more jail time for abusing police resources?