Ballari: A young man from Ballari, identified as Santosh, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sending a bomb threat message to the WhatsApp number of Ballari City MLA Bharath Reddy’s office late Monday night.

The Gandhinagar police acted swiftly after receiving the alert, conducting a thorough search of the MLA’s office premises, eventually confirming the threat was a hoax. Using the WhatsApp number, they traced and arrested Santosh, a resident of Rupanagudi Road.

Initial investigations revealed that Santosh, reportedly highly educated but unemployed, sent the message while under the influence of alcohol. During interrogation, he admitted to being in an inebriated state when he sent the threat. Authorities are continuing their probe to ascertain the full reasons behind his actions.

MLA Bharath Reddy was in Bengaluru at the time of the incident.