American tourist tries to enter Gateway of India with knife, detained

An American tourist was detained by the Colaba police after he tried to enter the Gateway of India with a bayonet, a sword-like blade that can be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle or used on its own. He was questioned and released after it was found he had no intention of using it.

According to police sources, US national John Samuel (name changed) tried to enter the Gateway of India with the knife in his handbag on Monday. The security officials found the weapon while he was examined at the entrance. A police officer, who did wish to be named, said, “While his belongings were checked, a knife was found. He was taken to the police station for questioning.”

Zonal deputy commissioner of police Manoj Kumar Sharma was informed and he reached the police station immediately. According to the police, Samuel was allowed to go following a preliminary inquiry, during which he said he carried the knife for self defence. Ironically, the weapon went unnoticed during security checks in the US and in the Middle East, where Samuel stopped over.

The officer said, “The foreign national claimed that his grandfather was with the US military and he is used to carrying weapons in his home town, so accordingly he had put the weapon in his luggage and carried while on tour.”

Samuel arrived in the city last week for his friend’s wedding and he visited the Gateway of India with them.

Deputy Commissioner of police Manoj Kumar Sharma ( zone 1) said, “We made a detailed inquiry into the matter and after confirming his innocence and the fact that he would not harm anyone, we warned him and let him go.”