The detection of a double barrel breach loading 12-bore shot gun in a car parked near the North Gate of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here caused a flutter in the heavily built-up heritage locality on Tuesday.
A pedestrian, who peered through the window of the expensive car, saw the gun lying on the rear seat. He soon alerted the police. The police, reinforced by assault rifle wielding commando units (deployed outside the temple since the “discovery” of precious treasures in its ancient subterranean vaults in June), surrounded the car immediately. Assistant Commissioner, Fort, K. Radhakrishnan Nair summoned the owner of the car, Prasad Panicker. He had arrived from Tamil Nadu to offer prayers at the temple.
Mr. Nair said Mr. Prasad was a film producer based in Tamil Nadu. The gun belonged to his body guard Narendar, who, after taking voluntary retirement from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), had been working as a private security guard.
Mr. Nair said the wea- pon was a licensed one issued in the name of Narendar. The license had all India legality and a validity period till 2012.
The police took photographs of the businessman and his security guard and recorded their statements. The police said they warned Narendar against leaving the we apon unattended in the car.
