Delhi Man Arrested for Sending Hoax Bomb Threats to Airlines, Wanted Attention After Seeing Similar News on TV
Delhi Man Arrested for Sending Hoax Bomb Threats to Airlines, Wanted Attention After Seeing Similar News on TV
Security heightened at IGI Airport following bomb threat hoaxes, authorities urge vigilance.
A 25-year-old man, Shubham Upadhyay from Uttam Nagar, Delhi, has been arrested for allegedly sending fake bomb threats to multiple airlines via email. The police revealed that Upadhyay was motivated by a desire for attention after watching similar incidents reported on television. He admitted to sending the threats during police interrogation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani stated that the threat messages were received at Indira Gandhi International Airport between the nights of October 26 and 29. The airport authorities responded promptly, following all necessary security protocols. However, after thorough checks, the threats were determined to be false.
Following the initial investigation, authorities traced the emails to an account registered in Upadhyay’s name. Utilizing both manual intelligence and technical surveillance, the police arrested Upadhyay early on Saturday. He has been charged under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation (SUA-SCA) Act and sections related to criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Upadhyay, a Class 12 graduate and currently unemployed, admitted to sending the hoax messages to draw attention.
Deputy Commissioner Rangnani reassured the public, stating, “All necessary security measures are in place, and there is no cause for alarm. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.” Security has been ramped up around the IGI Airport in response to the incident, and investigations into other claims are ongoing.
The recent hoax is part of a worrying trend, as the Delhi Police has registered eight separate FIRs in connection with over 100 bomb threats to domestic and international flights within the past 10 days. These incidents began on October 16, when a bomb threat was made via social media platform X, targeting a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight, forcing the plane to return to Delhi.
In light of the surge in false threats, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has advised social media platforms to take swift action in removing or disabling access to misinformation that could threaten public safety. The Ministry warned that platforms might face consequences for failing to comply with the IT rules.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed concern over the spate of hoax threats, stating on X, “Safety and security are our highest priorities. We are committed to taking strict action against those behind these malicious acts. Let’s work together to ensure safe skies for all.”
The issue of false bomb threats continues to pose challenges to authorities, with recent incidents involving even minors. Last week, Mumbai police detained a 17-year-old for making similar threats to four flights, highlighting the urgency to address this growing problem.
