On Wednesday, Mumbai airport police registered a case against an unidentified social media user for posting a hoax bomb threat concerning two domestic flights operated by SpiceJet. The alarming message, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as “Psychward,” claimed that explosives had been planted on flights SEJ116 and SEJ124, leading to heightened security concerns at the airport.
The post read: “Hi, I have placed explosives onboard flight SEJ116 and also onboard flight SEJ124. The bombs are going off very soon. Hurry up and evacuate the plane. Blood will spread everywhere.” This message was directed at SpiceJet’s official X handle, raising immediate alarm among airport authorities and airline personnel.
Flight SEJ116, which connects Darbhanga and Mumbai, had already taken off by the time the police received the threat. Upon landing at Mumbai airport, the aircraft was directed to the isolated bay E-9 for safety protocols. All passengers onboard were evacuated, and their belongings were thoroughly checked as a precaution. Dhananjay Gawde, Deputy Manager at SpiceJet, confirmed that after an extensive inspection of the aircraft, the threat was deemed a hoax.
In light of the serious nature of the incident, the Mumbai airport police acted swiftly. Based on Gawde’s complaint, they registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the unknown user under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses offences related to public safety and security.
The second flight mentioned in the hoax message operates between Leh and Delhi. This incident follows another recent case in which a 17-year-old schoolboy from Chhattisgarh was apprehended for posting a bomb scare on X in someone else’s name, which resulted in the diversion and delay of three international flights. Such incidents not only pose significant security risks but also disrupt travel plans and cause undue panic among passengers.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of reporting any suspicious activity or messages on social media platforms, as threats, whether real or hoax, can have severe repercussions for public safety and airline operations. As investigations proceed, police are working to identify the individual behind the hoax post and prevent similar incidents in the future.