The youth, aged around 20 years, and his girlfriend, aged around 19 years were riding a bike on Nasiruddin Road at around 4:30 pm on Sunday.

According to police sources, the couple, oblivious to their surroundings, was crossing through Syed Amir Ali Avenue, when they almost collided with the convoy of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, en route to Nandan from his Palm Avenue residence. “They were probably very engrossed with themselves and did not realise that the Chief Minister’s convoy was approaching,” said a police officer of the Traffic Police.

The motorbike stopped barely inches short of the Chief Minister’s convoy. Astonished policemen immediately intercepted the bike and took the couple to the Karaya police station.

“The couple was interrogated at length and their parents were contacted to establish their identities,” said a police officer of the Karaya police station.

The police sources said the youth is from the Baghbazar area in north Kolkata and the girl is a resident of Barasat.

The police, however, do not see any malicious intention of the couple. “It seems to be sheer carelessness on their part that they intercepted into the CM’s convoy route,” said another officer of the Karaya police station.

Traffic is stopped on the road through which the CM’s convoy passes.

Besides, traffic on all lanes leading to the road is also stopped until the convoy passes through.

“The traffic police in-charge for manning the crossing will be pulled up for questioning,” said a source.