Cops Probe On What Led Unemployed Delhi Youth To Send Hoax Bomb Threats To Flights

A 25-year-old unemployed man, Shubham Upadhyay from Uttam Nagar, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sending false bomb threats to several airlines, according to Delhi police officials.

The previous week, Mumbai police had detained a 17-year-old accused of issuing bomb threats for four flights after a total of 275 flights had received such threats since October 14.

Photo Credit: PTI

A senior police officer explained that the Class 12 graduate allegedly posted bomb threats on social media targeting Delhi-bound flights after seeing television reports on similar hoaxes.

Deputy commissioner of police (IGI airport), Usha Rangnani, told an HT reporter, "He wanted to draw attention to himself and sent the messages as a prank. The matter is currently under further investigation."

Another officer stated that after Upadhyay saw news reports of bomb hoaxes, he is thought to have copied the schedule of Delhi-bound flights and posted them with a message claiming there was a bomb on those flights.

The police said they were able to trace the posts to an account owned by Shubham Upadhyay early on Saturday and immediately registered a case under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation (SUA-SCA) Act, along with sections of criminal intimidation under the BNS.

Security has been tightened around IGI airport, with police assuring the public not to be alarmed, as further claims are also under investigation.

On Friday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued an advisory to social media platforms to act quickly on fake bomb threats directed at airlines, highlighting the severe risk these hoaxes pose to public order. They also warned platforms that action would be taken against them if they were found negligent.

In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded to the spate of bomb hoaxes, stating, "We are deeply concerned in the wake of recent hoax bomb threats disrupting air travel. I assure you that safety and security are our highest priorities, and we are committed to taking strict action against those behind these malicious acts. Let's work together to ensure safe skies for all."