Man Files Complaint Against Media Houses for ‘Terror Suspect’ Tag

The Bengaluru man came forward on Wednesday to claim he was a regular metro commuter and not a terror suspect.

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

A 45-year-old man from Bengaluru, who was called a ‘terror suspect’ by some media outlets, appeared before police on Wednesday, 8 May, to clear his name.

On Tuesday, a CCTV footage of two men walking into the Majestic Metro Station in west Bengaluru was aired by some media houses, claiming they were ‘terror suspects’.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Ravi D Chennannavar said the man, identified as Riyaz, a watch-seller in Majestic area, has been cleared of any suspicion after a police verification.

The officer added that Riyaz, who feared mob attacks since he was branded a terror suspect, has lodged a police complaint against the media houses. More details regarding this complaint is awaited.

Metro stations in Bengaluru were put on high alert after the media outlets released these CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, police are yet to track the other man seen in the CCTV footage, who was seen leaving the metro station after the security guards at the metal detectors stopped him after the machine beeped.

What Happened on Monday?

On Monday, 6 May, CCTV footage from Bengaluru’s Majestic Metro Station in West Bengaluru’s Upparpet were aired by media outlets, claiming two suspected were seen in the footage.

In the video a person carrying a metallic objects can be seen setting off an alarm while passing through the metal detectors at the station. When he is asked to step aside for another check, he is seen walking out of the metro station.

Another man was seen in the footage looking at the security check from a distance, when the other man was pulled out of the line by security personnel. Some TV channels claimed these two men were terror suspects and they were conducting a recce of the metro station’s security.

Police identified Riyaz as the second the person seen in the video, who claimed he was a daily commuter on the Bengaluru metro services and was going home after work.

What did Riyaz Say?

Riyaz, who came forward voluntarily on Wednesday, was seen in the footage looking at the security check from a distance, when the other man was pulled out of the line by security personnel.

Riyaz provided proof of working as a watch seller in the Majestic area for over two decades. In the subsequent background check this information was verified as well.

He said he is a resident of Nayandahalli in west Bengaluru and he used to take the metro home.

In his complaint against the media houses Riyaz said since the media houses aired the footage branding him a suspect he was under danger. DCP Chennannavar said Riyaz feared of being lynched by a mob because of the media reports.

Police Tracking the Missing Man

Bengaluru police which has formed special teams are still trying to track the first person in the CCTV footage. DCP Chennannavar said teams are going through the CCTV cameras around the metro station to find where the mysterious man went. The officer however added that there was no threat of the any terrorist attack unlike claimed on social media since the media reports.