An IndiGo aircraft flying from Kuwait to Hyderabad was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Mumbai early Tuesday morning. This dramatic mid-air diversion was prompted by a chilling email threat received by the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, which warned of a potential suicide-bomb attack on the arriving flight.
The Anonymous Threat and Immediate Action
The security team at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport received two alarming emails in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2. The messages, sent from anonymous 'mail2tor' addresses at 5:12 AM and 7:04 AM, were copied to several official email IDs belonging to GMR and Kuwait Airways.
The content of the emails was terrifying. The anonymous sender claimed that anti-social elements had planted remote-controlled explosives aboard the specific IndiGo aircraft. The threat stated the intention to detonate the explosives upon the plane's landing in Hyderabad. The sender demanded that RGIA authorities divert the flight and evacuate all terminal buildings, falsely claiming the plot was sanctioned by a 'fatwa'.
Acting swiftly on this critical information, the city airport's security team immediately alerted the relevant authorities. The decision was made to reroute the flight, which had taken off from Kuwait at 1:31 AM, to the nearest major airport for a security emergency.
Flight Diversion and Security Scare
The IndiGo flight, with its passengers unaware of the grave threat, was directed to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. It safely touched down in Mumbai at 7:45 AM.
Following the landing, a comprehensive security sweep of the aircraft was conducted by the Mumbai airport security staff. After a thorough check, the threat was officially declared a hoax. No explosives or suspicious items were found on board, confirming the email was a malicious false alarm designed to create panic and disrupt operations.
Passenger Ordeal and Legal Repercussions
The passengers, undoubtedly fatigued and anxious from the unexpected diversion and security scare, finally completed their journey to Hyderabad later the same day. They were flown to their original destination on another aircraft operated by IndiGo, arriving at RGIA at approximately 3:46 PM.
On the legal front, the RGIA police have taken serious note of the incident. A formal complaint was lodged by Mohammed Abdul Wasay, the General Manager (Security and Vigilance) of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL). Based on this complaint, the police have registered a case under stringent sections of the law.
The charges invoked include Section 351(4) for criminal intimidation by anonymous communication and Section 353(2) for statements conducing to public mischief under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, a case has been filed under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with punishment for cheating by personation using computer resources.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of making false threats, which not only cause widespread public fear and inconvenience but also waste significant security and operational resources. Authorities are investigating the source of the anonymous emails.
