A 46-year-old security officer of Indian origin in Singapore is facing charges for failing to dispose of a fake Improvised Explosive Device (IED) used in a security drill. Durendran Vicknesh Venkatraman was tasked with disposing of the fake bomb after a security training exercise on January 5, held at the Sing Industrial Complex in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park.
Instead of disposing of the fake bomb as instructed, Venkatraman left it in a public area, causing panic among nearby people. Authorities had to deploy police resources and bar at least 100 people from entering the premises until it was confirmed that the item was a fake IED.
Venkatraman was reportedly missing for over five hours, and when he returned, he lied to the authorities, claiming he had disposed of the device. As a result, he has been charged with giving false information to the police.
Venkatraman's case has been adjourned to April 30, and if convicted, he could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to 5,000 Singaporean dollars.
