The Mumbai Police arrested a teenager from Chhattisgarh on Wednesday for allegedly making fake bomb threat calls to three flights. Authorities received reports about bomb threats related to flights heading to Mumbai, which were linked to posts made on social media.
Following an investigation, police discovered that a minor from Chhattisgarh was responsible for these posts. He was detained and later transferred to the Juvenile Justice Board after his parents were notified.
Teenager Arrested in Mumbai for Bomb Threats
A minor has been taken into custody by the Mumbai Police following a series of bomb threats directed at various airlines since Monday. These threats resulted in the diversion of some flights, including one that was rerouted to a remote airport in Canada. According to the police, the boy allegedly issued the threats in an attempt to frame a friend with whom he had a dispute over money.
The 17-year-old, a school dropout from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, and his father were summoned by the Mumbai Police on Tuesday. While the teenager has been taken into custody and is being moved to a remand home, his father remains under questioning, as reported by police sources.
Investigators discovered that the boy created a social media account on X (formerly Twitter) using the name of his friend involved in the dispute. From this fake account, he posted the bomb threats, aiming to implicate his friend.
Since the start of these threats, at least 19 incidents have been reported, with four occurring on Monday alone. The Mumbai Police have filed three first information reports (FIRs) related to these threats. The teenager is currently in custody for the first FIR, which pertains to the threats made on Monday.
This case serves as a reminder of the serious legal consequences that can arise from making false threats, especially in the context of aviation safety and security.
Also Read: Air India Mumbai-New York Flight Diverted to Delhi After Bomb Threat
Teenager’s Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt Multiple Flights
On Monday, police reported that the teenager had made hoax bomb threats targeting four flights, three of which were on international routes. As a result, two flights were delayed, including Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York, which had to be diverted to New Delhi, while one flight was ultimately canceled.
On Tuesday, at least seven flights were affected by the ongoing threats. Among these, Air India flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago was diverted to Iqaluit Airport in Canada. Additionally, IndiGo flight 6E 98, traveling from Damman in Saudi Arabia to Lucknow, made an emergency landing in Jaipur. Bomb threats were also reported for flights from Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air.
The threats on Tuesday were made from an account on X (formerly Twitter), which started posting in the afternoon.
The hoax calls continued on Wednesday, impacting more flights. An Akasa Air flight (QP 1335) from New Delhi to Bengaluru was forced to return to the capital, while IndiGo flight 6E 651 from Mumbai to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad. Five other flights also received bomb threats, including two from SpiceJet.
This ongoing situation has raised concerns about airline safety and the legal repercussions of making false threats.
Parliamentary Panel Discusses Bomb Threats
The Delhi Police has filed several first information reports (FIRs) related to the recent bomb threats affecting airlines, an issue that was addressed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport on Wednesday.
Sources revealed that aviation officials informed the Members of Parliament (MPs) present at the meeting that they had identified a few “critical leads” and that some suspects were under investigation.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also convened a meeting with officials from his department and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to discuss the ongoing situation.
Senior officials from one of the airlines mentioned that hoax calls significantly impact their finances, yet they have no choice but to take these threats seriously to ensure passenger safety and security.
Also Read: Air India Express Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Trichy Due to In-Flight Malfunction
FAQs
Q.1. What led to the teenager’s arrest by the Mumbai Police?
Ans. The teenager was arrested for making false bomb threat calls to multiple flights, aiming to frame a friend over a money dispute.
Q.2. How many flights were affected by the bomb threats?
Ans. At least 19 bomb threats were reported, impacting multiple flights, including international routes, with several being delayed or diverted.
Q.3. What actions did the Delhi Police take regarding the threats?
Ans. The Delhi Police registered several first information reports (FIRs) and are investigating the case, identifying critical leads and suspects.
Q.4. What was the teenager’s method for issuing the threats?
Ans. The teenager created a fake social media account on X (formerly Twitter) using his friend’s name to post the bomb threats.
Q.5. What are the potential consequences of making hoax bomb threats?
Ans. Making false bomb threats can lead to severe legal repercussions, including arrest and detention, as well as significant financial impacts on airlines and safety concerns for passengers.
