Nagpur Police Identify Suspect Behind Airline Hoax Bomb Threats, Man Still at Large

Nagpur Police Identify Suspect Behind Airline Hoax Bomb Threats: Police in Nagpur have identified a 35 year old man from Gondia as the culprit behind the series of hoax bomb threats that caused panic, flight delays and increased security at airports and other places, an official said.

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 DCP Shweta Khedkar has found out the details of the emails.

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Uikey sent emails to various government bodies including PMO, Railway Minister, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy, airline offices, DGP and RPF, said the official.

On Monday, Nagpur police increased security outside Deputy CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s residence in the city after Uikey sent an email to him threatening to protest unless he is given a chance to present his information on the secret terror code he claims to have deciphered. He also asked for a meeting with PM Narendra Modi to discuss his knowledge of terror threats, he added.

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

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“A special team has been formed to arrest Uikey,” he said, adding he will be arrested soon. In 13 days till October 26, more than 300 flights of Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats.

Most of the threats were sent through social media, government agencies had said earlier. On October 22 alone, around 50 flights, including 13 each of IndiGo and Air India received bomb threats, sources had said.

He also sent emails to airline offices, railway minister and Railway Protection Force, said the official. Uikey’s email sent on October 21 to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and forwarded to DGP and RPF led to security at railway stations, he added.

More than 300 flights of Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats this month.

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