35-Year-Old Writer from Nagpur Arrested for Making Fake Threats to Airlines

Maharashtra police arrested 35-year-old Nagpur-based writer Jagdish Uikey on charges of making over 100 fake bomb threats against airlines, the Prime Minister’s Office and prominent government officials through calls and emails. Uikey, originally from Gondia, was detained in Nagpur after returning from Delhi. Notably, he was arrested for similar crimes in 2021.

Nagpur Deputy Commissioner of Police Lohit Matani stated that Uikey has written a book on terrorism, which is available on Amazon. According to an India Today report, the local police seized his mobile phone and laptop, which he is believed to have used to spread threats. Authorities suspect that Uikey’s motives were not related to actual terrorism but rather to gain notoriety.

Uikey Started Sending Hoax Threats Since January

Since January, Uikey has reportedly sent numerous emails claiming bombs have been planted in various locations and warning of impending attacks. He allegedly made bomb threats in 30 locations across India between 25 October and 30 October alone. His threats were aimed at key political figures and officials, including Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Police tracked him down via his IP address after his emails pointed to terrorist attacks and he requested a meeting with authorities, claiming to have critical information about security threats. Among its most alarming messages was a threat to hijack 31 flights of airlines such as IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet and Air India, and warned that six airports were under potential threat from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. These messages led authorities to tighten security at major airports and put the CISF on high alert.

To make detection more difficult, Uikey coded his messages with letters representing specific destinations: “M” for markets, “R” for railroads, and “A” for airlines. He also visited Delhi on October 28 and submitted his documents to the Prime Minister’s Office. Despite his threatening emails, authorities found no evidence linking him to any terrorist organization.

Uikey in Police Custody

Uikey is currently in the custody of Nagpur’s cyber police and is reportedly inconsistent in his account of events. His emails to Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis included a request for an urgent meeting and a warning of a protest at Trikoni Maidan in Nagpur if his demands were ignored, sources said, citing sources.

Uikey’s messages pointed to a wide range of targets, including markets, bus stops, airlines, airports, temples, trains, train stations and government offices, among others, increasing the seriousness of the threats and prompting rapid police response.