Maharashtra: Nagpur Man Arrested For Hoax Threats To Flights

Maharashtra Police arrested one Jagdish Uikey, a 35-year-old author from Nagpur, for allegedly issuing over 100 false bomb threats to airlines, the Prime Minister's Office, and senior government officials via calls and emails.

Uikey, who hails from Gondia, was apprehended in Nagpur after his arrival from Delhi.

Photo Credit: Pexels

He had previously been arrested in 2021 on similar charges, reported India Today.

According to Nagpur Police Deputy Commissioner Lohit Matani, Uikey is known for his book on terrorism, which is available on Amazon. Authorities have seized his mobile phone and laptop, which were allegedly used to send the threats. Police believe Uikey's actions were not driven by actual terrorism but rather a bid to gain publicity.

Since January, Uikey is accused of sending numerous emails warning of bomb placements and imminent explosions. Between October 25 and 30 alone, he reportedly issued threats to 30 different locations across India, including high-profile individuals like Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Nagpur Police tracked Uikey using his IP address after he sent emails hinting at terror attacks and requested meetings with officials to share "vital information" on security threats.

One email contained a threat to hijack 31 flights from airlines like IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, and Air India, alleging that six airports across India were being targeted by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group. This led authorities to heighten security and place the CISF on alert at major airports.

Interestingly, Uikey used coded messages in his emails, with letters representing locations: "M" for markets, "R" for railways, and "A" for airlines, making it more challenging for authorities to interpret the threats.

Uikey allegedly visited Delhi on October 28, where he entered the Prime Minister's Office to deliver documents. He remains in Nagpur's cyber police custody, where he is reportedly changing his story frequently.

Sources revealed that an email he sent to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis included a request for a meeting within 24 hours, threatening to stage a protest at Trikoni Maidan in Nagpur if ignored.

In his email to Fadnavis, Uikey threatened that if his demands were not met, he would lead a protest with five others at Trikoni Maidan in Dharampeth, Nagpur, from October 28.

His threats covered 5 markets, 5 bus stations, 6 airline companies, 6 airports, 5 temples, 5 trains, 5 railway stations, the President, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Home Minister.