Chhattisgarh Minor Detained For Hoax Bomb Threats To Flights, Was Trying To Frame Friend: Reports

A minor has been detained for issuing bomb threats to four flights using a fake social media account, which he created in his friend's name to frame him, sources revealed.

The minor, a Class 11 dropout from Chhattisgarh, had a financial dispute with his friend.

Photo Credit: PTI

In an attempt to seek revenge, the minor set up an account on X, impersonating his friend, and sent threats on October 14, according to sources.

One of the affected flights, an Air India service bound for New York, was diverted to New Delhi and later rescheduled, while two IndiGo flights to Muscat and Jeddah were delayed for several hours as the planes were moved to isolation bays for security checks.

Sources have stated that the minor was arrested in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon, and agencies are now investigating whether a larger conspiracy is involved in these threats.

Over the past two days, almost a dozen Indian flights, some of which were en route to international destinations, have received bomb threats. However, no suspicious items were found on board. Mumbai Police have filed three FIRs related to the threats, while Delhi Police have registered six cases.

Earlier today, an Akasa Air flight heading to Bengaluru, carrying more than 180 passengers, returned to the national capital following a bomb threat, sources confirmed.

A high-level meeting was convened on Wednesday, attended by officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Intelligence Bureau, and Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to sources, the CISF and other agencies are working on a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to improve coordination for handling such situations.

The BCAS has also proposed placing individuals who issue hoax bomb threats on the no-fly list.

Earlier today, officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) appeared before Parliament's standing committee on transport, tourism, and culture.

During the meeting, some MPs expressed concern about the recent surge in hoax threats against airlines, which have caused public panic and raised questions about efforts to address such incidents.

Lawmakers also sought clarification from the central government on how it intends to ensure the complete safety of passengers in such situations.