Maharashtra Man Arrested for Nationwide Hoax Bomb Threats to Airports, Railway Stations

Nagpur:  A 35-year-old man from Maharashtra, suspected of issuing multiple bomb threats to airports and railway stations nationwide, was taken into custody after surrendering to Nagpur Police on Thursday evening. The individual, identified as Jagdish Shriam Uikey, hails from Arjuni Morgaon in the Gondia district of eastern Maharashtra. His surrender followed a summons from Nagpur Police, prompting him to travel to the city by air, an official reported on Friday.

Uikey, believed to have operated from Delhi, reportedly used social media platforms to issue a wave of hoax bomb threats targeting over 350 flights operated by Indian carriers. The scale of his alleged actions caused widespread disruption and anxiety, with one instance on October 24 affecting approximately 80 flights operated by major airlines, including IndiGo and Air India.

In a recent instance of his activities, Uikey allegedly sent an email on October 21 to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior railway police officials, which prompted heightened security at various railway stations. This incident is not his first run-in with law enforcement; in 2021, he was arrested for a similar hoax call about a bomb threat. Following his release, he left Arjuni Morgaon and reportedly relocated to Delhi, where he shared his new address with close friends.

Nagpur Police’s Deputy Commissioner, Shweta Khedkar, led the investigation that traced Uikey’s activities through emails sent to multiple organizations. A review of his background revealed that Uikey has completed up to the 11th grade in schooling and has authored a book titled *Aaatankwad – Ek Tufaani Rakshas*, focusing on the topic of terrorism.

This recent arrest highlights the challenges authorities face in dealing with hoax threats that strain public resources and heighten public concern across the country.