Bengaluru Colleges Bomb Threat Case: West Bengal Man Held For Sending Hoax Threats

In a significant development, Dipanjan Mitra, aged 48, was apprehended in Darjeeling, West Bengal. He is accused of sending threatening emails about hydrogen-based Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at two Bengaluru colleges. The arrest followed a collaborative investigation by the VV Puram and Hanumantanagar police stations after receiving complaints from the educational institutions.

On October 4, three well-known engineering colleges in Bengaluru were targeted with bomb threat emails. These included Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT), BMS College of Engineering, and MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology. The threats caused widespread panic on the campuses.

Technical Investigation Leads to Arrest

The principal of BIT filed a complaint immediately after receiving the threat email from [email protected]. The email claimed that advanced hydrogen-based IEDs were planted on the college premises, prompting an urgent investigation by local authorities.

A similar complaint was lodged by the principal of BMS College on the same day. This led to another case being registered. A team consisting of officers from VV Puram and Hanumantanagar police stations was formed under Deputy Commissioner Lokesh Baramappa Jagalasar's supervision to address these threats.

Through technical analysis, police traced the suspect to Salisbury Town in Darjeeling district. On October 17, they detained him, and during questioning, he confessed to sending the threatening emails.

Suspect's Background and Confession

Shameed Pasha, Assistant Commissioner of Police for VV Puram Sub Division, along with Inspector Dharmendra and their team, played a crucial role in tracing the suspect using call detail records (CDR) and referral IDs linked to the email addresses used for sending hoax threats. "It was an intense work which stretched almost four-five days," stated a senior officer involved in the case.

Upon arresting Mitra, law enforcement seized an HP laptop and a Nokia mobile phone allegedly used in committing these crimes. Mitra admitted involvement in at least ten similar cases, raising alarms about other bomb threat emails sent to schools and colleges across Bengaluru.

Further Investigations Underway

The authorities are now broadening their investigation to determine Mitra's involvement in additional incidents. Despite his arrest, he was released on bail even though police sought his transit remand.

Mitra has been unemployed since 2012 after leaving his job at a private firm. He holds a B Com degree and has completed several computer science certification courses. "Since he was unemployed and was mentally disturbed, he resorted to sending hoax emails," explained a police officer.

The police continue their investigations to uncover more about Mitra's activities and any potential accomplices involved in these threats.