Maharashtra: Nagpur Police Identify 35-Year-Old Suspect Behind Multiple Hoax Bomb Threats to Airlines; Accused Still at Large

Police in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have identified a 35-year-old man from Gondia as the individual responsible for a series of hoax bomb threats. These threats caused panic, resulted in flight delays, and prompted heightened security measures at airports and other locations, according to an official.

The Nagpur city police’s special branch has identified the man as Jagdish Uikey, an author of a book on terrorism, who was arrested in 2021 in a case, he said.

“Uikey is currently on the run after these emails were traced back to him,” the senior police official said.

The investigation, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shweta Khedkar uncovered detailed information linking Uikey to the emails.

Uikey sent emails to several government agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Railway Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy, airline offices, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), as reported by an official.

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Uikey’s Threats Prompt Heightened Security and Special Task Force Formation

On Monday, Nagpur police increased security outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis after Uikey emailed a threat to protest unless he was given an opportunity to share his information regarding a secret terror code he claimed to have deciphered. He also sought a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss his insights on terror threats.

Uikey’s email sent on October 21 to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and also forwarded to the DGP and RPF, led to security measures at railway stations, the official said.

“A special team has been formed to arrest Uikey,” he said, adding that he will be apprehended soon.

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More Than 300 Flights Receive Bomb Threats

In 13 days till October 26, more than 300 flights operated by the Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats. Most of the threats were issued through social media, the government agencies earlier said.

On October 22 alone, around 50 flights, including 13 each of IndiGo and Air India received bomb threats, sources earlier said.