 |
|
In a concerning incident that shook the national capital, a 25-year-old man, Shubham Upadhyay, was apprehended by the Delhi police for allegedly sending bomb threats to flights at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The motive behind his actions, as revealed during interrogation, was a desire for publicity, highlighting the alarming trend of individuals using such tactics for attention-seeking purposes.
Upadhyay, a resident of Uttam Nagar, Delhi, confessed to sending two bomb threat messages to the airport via an email account. These messages, received during the intervening night of October 26 and 29, triggered immediate security protocols at the airport, resulting in heightened security measures and thorough checks. However, the threat was ultimately determined to be a hoax.
The Delhi Police initiated a prompt investigation, tracing the messages back to Upadhyay's account. Through a combination of intelligence gathering and technical surveillance, the authorities apprehended him and subjected him to questioning. During interrogation, Upadhyay admitted to sending the messages after witnessing similar news reports on television, revealing his motivation to gain notoriety and attention.
The incident has raised concerns about the growing trend of individuals exploiting security vulnerabilities for personal gain. The Delhi Police, in response to these alarming threats, have registered a total of eight separate First Information Reports (FIRs) related to bomb threats targeting over 100 domestic and international flights in the past ten days. The first case, registered on October 16, involved a bomb threat received via X targeting a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight, leading to the aircraft, carrying 180 passengers, being forced to return to Delhi.
In an attempt to curtail the spread of such threats, the Delhi Police wrote to X, seeking information about the accounts responsible for posting threatening messages. However, their efforts to obtain user IDs or domain information proved unsuccessful. In light of the surge in hoax bomb threats, the Information and Technology Ministry has issued directives to social media platforms, urging them to comply with due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to misinformation within the prescribed timelines under IT rules.
The Delhi Police have assured the public that all necessary security measures are in place to ensure the safety of passengers and airport operations. They have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. The arrest of Upadhyay serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of such attention-seeking behavior and implementing robust measures to prevent future occurrences. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter, aiming to prevent further incidents of bomb threats and ensure the safety and security of aviation travel.
Source: Delhi police nabs man who allegedly sent bomb threats to flights for publicity