Ahmedabad Cybercrime Police Launch New Investigation into Bomb Threat Emails Targeting Judicial Institutions
In a concerning development, the cybercrime police in Ahmedabad have registered a fresh offence following a series of bomb threat emails sent to the Gujarat High Court and several other judicial bodies. This action comes even as the primary accused in an earlier related threat case has already been apprehended.
Details of the Threatening Communications
According to a complaint filed on March 9 by Head Constable Ashwin Natu of the cybercrime police station, authorities received critical information through the police control room. The alert indicated that an email threatening a bomb blast had been dispatched to the official email addresses of the Gujarat High Court.
Police officials revealed that the email, originating from the ID sourav_biswas1@outlook.com, contained alarming claims. It asserted that 14 explosive devices, filled with cyanide gas, had been strategically planted inside the judges' chambers and across the court premises. The message urgently warned authorities to evacuate the area, stating that the devices could detonate before 1 PM.
Widespread Nature of the Threats
Investigators further disclosed that similar emails, bearing identical subject lines, were sent to multiple other institutions in Ahmedabad. These included various district courts and the state consumer dispute redressal commission. Additionally, another threat email was directed at the regional passport office, warning that explosive devices had been placed on its premises.
A cybercrime officer emphasized, "The emails were crafted with statements explicitly intended to instill fear and panic among officials and the general public. In response, comprehensive security checks were promptly conducted at all the premises mentioned in these threatening messages."
Origin and Timing of the Emails
Police analysis confirmed that the threat emails were sent from three distinct email IDs: sourav_biswas1@outlook.com, sourav_biswas21@hotmail.com, and ajitham_kudumba@outlook.com. These communications were transmitted between March 8 and March 9, highlighting a coordinated effort over a short period.
Connection to Previous Arrest
This new case emerges just days after the arrest of Sourav Biswas, a 30-year-old individual allegedly operating an online marketplace for compromised digital accounts. Biswas was arrested in Kolkata, West Bengal, on March 1 through a joint operation involving the Ahmedabad crime branch and cybercrime police.
Officials detailed that Biswas was brought to Ahmedabad on transit remand on March 3 and subsequently placed in police custody for intensive interrogation. During the questioning sessions, investigators uncovered that the email ID used in the threat messages had previously been sold to multiple individuals in Bangladesh.
A cybercrime officer explained, "Even though the accused was arrested, the email account linked to him had been sold or shared with several persons. It is highly plausible that these users continued to send threatening emails, exploiting the compromised account for malicious purposes."
Legal Framework and Ongoing Investigation
In response to these incidents, police have registered an offence under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. This includes sections related to criminal intimidation and spreading fear, alongside relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Currently, police are diligently analysing server data and login records to identify the individuals currently operating the email accounts and trace their precise locations. This forensic examination aims to uncover the full scope of the threat network and prevent future incidents.
The situation underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating cyber-enabled threats, particularly those targeting critical judicial infrastructure. Authorities remain vigilant as they work to ensure public safety and uphold the integrity of legal institutions in Ahmedabad.
