The local police have identified a 35-year-old man from Gondia in Maharashtra as responsible for a series of hoax bomb threats that caused widespread panic, delayed flights, and heightened security at airports and other locations.
The suspect has been recognised by the special branch of the Nagpur city police as Jagdish Uikey, an author who was arrested in 2021 in a case.
“Uikey is currently on the run after these emails were traced back to him,” a senior police officer said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shweta Khedkar led the investigation, which brought out comprehensive evidence connecting Uikey to the emails.
According to media reports, Uikey sent emails to the Director General of Police (DGP), the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Railway Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy, airline offices and other government agencies.
The Nagpur police increased security outside the home of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday after Uikey threatened to protest if he was not given the opportunity to provide details on the secret terror code he said he had cracked in an email.
He stated that he wanted to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about his knowledge of the terror threats.
According to reports, Uikey’s email to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on October 21 prompted security measures at railway stations after it was shared to the DGP and RPF. The police stated, “A special team has been formed to arrest Uikey,” and that he will be captured shortly.
In the last 14 days, over 300 flights operated by the Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats. The government authorities earlier said that social media was utilised for circulating the majority of the threats.
Almost 50 flights—13 each of IndiGo and Air India—were threatened with bombs on October 22 alone.
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