Why unemployed Delhi resident sent false bomb threats on multiple flights, police investigate

Unemployed Shubham Upadhyay, 25, of Uttam Nagar was arrested on Saturday on charges of sending false bomb threats to several airlines, Delhi Police officials said.

More than 275 flights have received bomb threats since October 14 (PTI)

Last week, Mumbai police detained a 17-year-old in connection with bomb threats on four flights, after receiving such threats on 275 flights since October 14.

Why did the man threaten to blow things up?

A senior police official said the Class 12 graduate allegedly posted on social media threatening to blow up Delhi-bound planes after watching television reports of such hoaxes.

Also read: Bomb threats against airlines continue: more than 25 flights attacked today

Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport), told an HT reporter, “He wanted to attract attention and sent the messages as a joke. The case is currently under further investigation.”

Another officer said that after Upadhyay saw television reports of bomb hoaxes, he is believed to have copied the Delhi flight schedule and pasted it along with a threat that those planes carried a bomb.

Also read: Three flights at Pune airport receive bomb threats

Tracing the posts to an account belonging to Shubham Upadhyay early on Saturday morning, police said they immediately registered a case under the Suppression of Unlawful Activities Against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUA-SCA) and criminal intimidation sections under BNS.

Security around the IGI airport has been beefed up and police have assured the public not to worry as they are also investigating other allegations.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Friday issued an advisory to social media platforms to immediately respond to false bomb threats made to airlines as such misinformation poses a serious threat to public order. They also warned the platforms that the ministry will take action if there is negligence on their part.

In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded to the rise in bomb hoaxes by saying: “We are deeply concerned about the recent hoax bomb threats that have disrupted air travel. Please be assured that safety and security are our top priorities and we are determined to take strict action against those behind these malicious acts. Let’s work together to ensure safe skies for everyone.”