Laser pointed at Rahul from phone, not sniper: MHA

New Delhi: Home ministry and security agencies have ruled out any threat to the life of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the wake of reports that a green laser light was pointed at his head, which could have come from a sniper rifle, during a roadshow in Amethi on Wednesday.

The green laser light, which triggered security concerns regarding the Congress president, was later found to be from a mobile phone and not a sniper rifle.

Following media reports on the issue, director of the Special Protection Group (SPG) was asked to carry out a detail probe into the incident. SPG is tasked with providing security cover to Mr Gandhi and some other members of his family. SPG, a highly trained security unit, is also responsible for providing close proximity security to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

An indepth review of the incident conducted by SPG security experts revealed that the green laser light pointing tow-ards Mr Gandhi in some media clippings was found to be from a mobile phone which was being used by an AICC photographer who was videographing the impromptu press interaction of the Congress leader.

This interaction took place near the collectorate in Amethi and there was a huge crowd at the venue.

Senior home ministry officials claimed that as soon as they got information about the incident, they immediately alerted the SPG and directed them to ascertain what exactly happened.

Senior Congress leaders like Randeep Surjewala and Abhishek Manu Singhvi denied that the party had written any letter to the home ministry regarding a possible breach of Mr Gandhi’s security. Even the home ministry spokesperson clarified that the ministry has not received any communication from the Congress in this regard.

Earlier there were reports that the Congress had accused the Uttar Pradesh administration of an “alarming lapse”, and written to the Union home ministry asking it to “probe and neutralise the threat”, if any.

Reports had earlier on Thursday claimed that in a letter to the home ministry, the Congress had enclosed a security video of Mr Gandhi's media interaction, which showed a spot of green light on the temple of the 48-year-old party chief.

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