Varanasi GRP Nabs Thane Resident for Repeated Hoax Bomb Threats on Kashi Express
The Government Railway Police in Varanasi made a significant arrest on Thursday. They apprehended a man from Thane and brought him to Varanasi under transit remand. This individual stands accused of making multiple hoax calls about bombs planted on the Gorakhpur-Mumbai Kashi Express.
Disruptive Hoax Calls Halt Train Operations
One such false alarm on January 6, 2026, forced authorities to stop the train in Mau for several hours. Security personnel conducted a thorough check of the entire train. This caused considerable disruption to the railway schedule and alarmed passengers.
Police identified the accused as 42-year-old Rajesh Shukla. He originally hails from Machhlishehar in Jaunpur district but was living in Thane. To support himself, he worked as a watchman in a local housing society.
Police Investigation Tracks Calls to Mumbai
Kunwar Prabhat Singh, the Circle Officer of GRP Varanasi, provided details of the investigation. He stated that special teams formed after repeated threats to the Prayagraj Control Room. The first hoax call came on November 18, 2025, and the second on January 6, 2026. Both falsely claimed a bomb was placed aboard the Kashi Express.
The GRP team used technical evidence to trace these calls. They successfully linked them to a public calling centre located in Mumbai. This breakthrough led to the identification of the suspect.
Raids and Evidence Lead to Arrest
Following the technical trace, a GRP team conducted a raid in Thane. They arrested Rajesh Shukla from his location. During the subsequent investigation, police made a crucial discovery. They recovered a diary from Shukla's possession.
This diary contained several important phone numbers. Notably, it included the contact details for the Prayagraj Control Room. After his arrest in Thane, authorities produced him before a local court. The court granted transit remand, allowing police to bring him to Varanasi for further proceedings.
A History of Similar Offenses
Further investigation revealed this was not Shukla's first offense. Police records show that on June 2, 2025, he provided fake information about a bomb in a train. For that crime, authorities arrested him and sent him to jail.
However, he secured bail and was released. After coming out, he allegedly resumed his criminal behavior. He made similar hoax calls on November 18, 2025, and again on January 6, 2026.
The November 18 call forced authorities to halt the Kashi Express at Janghai station for hours. The January 6 call led to the train's stop in Mau. Officials evacuated the train and conducted a comprehensive search, finding nothing.
Police Declare Accused a Habitual Offender
Police officials stated that Shukla's repeated attempts to create panic prompted them to consider him a habitual offender. During interrogation, Shukla reportedly confessed to his crimes. However, he did not provide any clear reason for making the hoax calls.
Authorities believe his intention was simply to harass the police and railway administration. His actions aimed to cause unnecessary panic among train passengers. The GRP's successful operation highlights their commitment to maintaining railway security and preventing public mischief.
