In a concerning trend of hoax bomb threats targeting airlines, a 25-year-old unemployed man from Delhi has been arrested for making threatening calls that disrupted flight operations. The arrest comes as authorities continue to respond to an alarming rise in similar incidents, with over 275 bomb threats received since October 14.
The individual, identified as Shubham Upadhyay from Rajapuri in west Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area, allegedly made the threats to gain attention after watching reports of other such calls on television. He was taken into custody by the Delhi Police following the receipt of two threat messages directed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport between Friday night and early Saturday.
According to police statements, the investigation revealed that Upadhyay created a social media account from which he issued the threats. During questioning, he admitted to fabricating the threats as a misguided attempt to draw attention to himself. Upadhyay, who has studied up to Class 12, was described by officials as unemployed.
“This is a serious matter, and we want to reassure the public that all necessary security measures are in place. There is no cause for alarm,” the Delhi Police stated. They urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
This arrest follows a previous incident in which a 17-year-old boy from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, was taken into custody by Mumbai Police for making threats to four flights. That teenager allegedly created a social media handle to frame a friend after a financial dispute.
The impact of these hoax threats has been significant, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Notably, one threat forced Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York to divert to New Delhi.
In response to the growing number of threats, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued an advisory to social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of acting against the spread of misinformation. The ministry warned that failure to comply could result in action against these platforms.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the safety and security of airline passengers and crew, stating, “We are deeply concerned in the wake of recent hoax bomb threats disrupting air travel. Safety and security are our highest priorities, and we are committed to taking strict action against those behind these malicious acts.”
Sources By Agencies
