Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari has reportedly received death threats at his public relations office in Nagpur on Saturday. His office received three threatening calls, in which the caller threatened to kill Gadkari and demanded extortion money.

According to sources, at least death three telephone calls were received by Gadkari's private office in Nagpur, Maharashtra at around 11:30 am and claimed to be representing the absconding don Dawood Ibrahim.

The threats calls were made at 11:29 am, 11:35 am and 12:32 pm on the BSNL landline of the office. The police and senior officials have reached Gadkari's office and are investigating the matter. The caller, whose identity is being investigated, reportedly threatened to kill Gadkari. Some reports also claim that he also threatened to blow up the office. However, a confirmation from the police is awaited.

Police claimed the calls most likely came from Hubli in Karnataka, per The Times of India report. The security has been heightened around both the central minister’s office and home following extortion-cum-death threats, officials said.

Nagpur Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rahul Madane, DCP Nagpur spoke to the media about the incident and said, "There were three phone calls. The details are being found, and our crime branch will work on the CDR. An analysis is underway. Existing security has been increased. Security has also been increased at the venue of the program of minister Gadkari. Further probe is underway."

Notably, Nitin Gadkari is currently in Nagpur for Makar Sankranti festival and is reportedly safe.

Image source: PTI