A 35-year-old man with a history of mental illness was arrested from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on July 3, 2026, for allegedly sending a bomb threat email to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The accused, identified as Ravi Kumar, a resident of the Loni area, was taken into custody after a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Details of the Incident
The threat email was sent from a local cyber cafe in Ghaziabad on July 2, 2026. In the email, the sender claimed that explosives had been planted at ISRO's headquarters in Bengaluru and that a major attack was imminent. ISRO officials immediately alerted the Bengaluru Police and the IB, who traced the IP address to the cyber cafe in Ghaziabad. The cyber cafe owner provided CCTV footage and login records, leading to Kumar's identification.
According to Ghaziabad Superintendent of Police (City) Rajesh Singh, Kumar was found to be mentally unstable during interrogation. 'He is a known case of schizophrenia and has been under treatment for years. He admitted to sending the email but could not provide a coherent motive,' Singh said. Kumar's family confirmed his condition and said he had stopped taking medication recently.
Security Response and Investigation
Upon receiving the threat, ISRO conducted a thorough search of its premises in Bengaluru but found no explosives. 'The threat was taken seriously, and all security protocols were followed. The email was sent from a public computer, and the sender was quickly identified,' said an ISRO spokesperson. The Bengaluru Police have filed a case under the Indian Penal Code sections for criminal intimidation and public mischief.
Authorities are now investigating whether Kumar acted alone or was influenced by others. Police have seized his mobile phone and are analyzing his call records and internet history. 'We are also checking if he has any links to extremist groups, though initial findings suggest he acted independently,' Singh added.
Impact on ISRO Operations
The bomb threat caused a temporary disruption at ISRO's headquarters, with non-essential staff evacuated for a few hours. However, operations resumed normalcy by evening. ISRO officials stated that security has been heightened at all its facilities across the country. 'We have implemented additional security measures, including stricter visitor checks and increased surveillance,' the spokesperson said.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of public institutions to false threats, especially from individuals with mental health issues. Experts call for better mental health support and stricter regulations on cyber cafe usage. 'Such threats waste precious security resources and cause unnecessary panic. There is a need for a robust system to verify the identity of cyber cafe users,' said cybersecurity expert Ankit Sharma.
Kumar has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody and will undergo psychiatric evaluation. His family has been informed and is cooperating with the investigation.
