The special branch of Nagpur city police has identified the individual responsible for a series of false bomb threats targeting airlines.
Nagpur: Police in Maharashtra Nagpur have identified a 35 years old man from Gondia as the individual behind a series of hoax bomb threats that caused widespread panic flight delays and heightened security at airports and other establishments an official reported.
The Nagpur city police special branch identified the man as Jagdish Uikey an author of a book on terrorism who was previously arrested in 2021 in a related case.
Uikey is currently on the run after these emails were traced back to him the senior police official stated.
The investigation led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shweta Khedkar revealed detailed evidence connecting Uikey to the hoax emails.
Uikey reportedly sent emails to multiple government bodies including the Prime Minister Office (PMO) Railway Minister Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde his deputy airline offices the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) the official stated.
On Monday Nagpur police heightened security outside Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis residence after Uikey sent an email threatening to protest unless allowed to present information on a secret terror code he claimed to have deciphered. He also requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss his knowledge of terror threats the official added.
Uikey email sent on October 21 to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and forwarded to the DGP and RPF prompted security measures at railway stations according to officials.
A special team has been formed to arrest Uikey the official stated adding that his capture is expected soon.
Between October 13 and 26 over 300 flights operated by Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats primarily issued through social media as reported by government agencies.
On October 22 alone around 50 flights including 13 each from IndiGo and Air India received bomb threats sources previously indicated.
