Mumbai: A 50-year-old man from Patna has been arrested in Noida for allegedly sending a WhatsApp message to the Mumbai Police threatening multiple bomb blasts that would “kill 1 crore people” even as Ganesh festival celebrations continue across the city, officials said Friday.
Another person has also been taken into custody for allegedly providing his SIM card to the accused, identified as Ashwini, to send the threat message to the traffic police’s helpline on Thursday.
The message claimed that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered Mumbai with 400 kilograms of RDX planted in 34 vehicles. The alert sent the city police into a huddle as they were finalizing security arrangements for Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which culminates with idol immersions on Saturday.
Sources said Ashwini, who is currently in the process of separating from his wife, had switched off his mobile phone after sending the message. He was traced and arrested from Noida’s Sector 79 following local intelligence inputs, surveillance, and CCTV footage obtained from a grocery store. He was later handed over to Mumbai Police.
The operation followed a request from Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner CP Rajiv Narayan Mishra, who sought assistance from Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh. A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was formed to nab the accused.
Police said the threat message also mentioned the name of an outfit called Lashkar-e-Jihadi.
“Such messages have been received in the past. There is no need to panic. Security has been enhanced at all major locations, and combing operations are underway. Citizens are urged not to spread rumours and report anything suspicious immediately,” a senior Mumbai Police officer said.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad has also been briefed on the case. While investigators suspect the message to be a hoax, they said technical analysis is being carried out to confirm its origin. Authorities emphasized that maximum precautions are being taken in view of the massive crowds expected on immersion day.
A case has been registered at Worli police station under Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sub-sections 2, 3, and 4.
More than 21,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to ensure safety and order during idol immersions. Lakhs of devotees are expected to gather on Saturday as the city bids farewell to Lord Ganesh with traditional processions and immersions in the sea, lakes, and artificial ponds.
