Post by : Rameen Ariff

A 26-year-old Indian-origin man has been arrested in Singapore for placing a fake bomb at church, causing panic and forcing all church services to be cancelled for the day.

The incident happened early Sunday morning at St Joseph’s Church in the Upper Bukit Timah area, which is a well-known residential part of Singapore. The man has been identified as Kokulananthan Mohan.

Police said the suspicious item was found inside the church at around 7:11 am. After the discovery, church authorities immediately stopped all services to keep people safe.

According to police charge papers, the man placed three cardboard rolls inside the church. These rolls were filled with small stone pebbles. Red wires were sticking out of them, and they were tightly wrapped using black and yellow tape. The item looked like a real explosive device.

Investigators said the fake bomb at church was made to scare people and make them believe it could explode. Police confirmed that the item was not real and could not cause an explosion.

Singapore Police said early checks show the man acted alone. Officers also said there is no sign that the act was linked to religion or terrorism.

After his arrest, Kokulananthan was brought to court on Monday. The court ordered that he be kept under observation for three weeks so doctors can check his mental health. He is expected to return to court on January 12.

During the hearing, the man told the court that his strange behaviour was due to lack of sleep because he works night shifts. The judge said he can explain this to doctors during his medical check.

If found guilty, the man could face serious punishment. This includes up to 10 years in jail, a heavy fine, or both under Singapore law.

The fake bomb at church incident caused fear among worshippers and raised serious safety concerns. Police have reminded the public that fake threats can cause panic and will be treated as serious crimes.

#Global News