A Class 12 student from Delhi has been detained by the police for orchestrating a series of bomb threat emails sent to several schools across the city. The young individual, in an attempt to avoid his exams, sent at least six bomb threat emails to different schools. He intentionally excluded his own school from the threats, hoping to avoid suspicion. His plan was simple yet calculated: to create enough panic that would lead to the cancellation of exams, thereby giving him a reprieve from the stressful exam schedule. In one instance, he sent a bomb threat to as many as 23 schools at once.
The bomb threats triggered widespread panic in the city, especially among the school communities. Following the threats, schools were evacuated, and bomb squads, along with sniffer dogs, were deployed to search for any potential explosives. However, after thorough inspections, no bombs were found, leaving the authorities with nothing but wasted time and effort. The real cost, however, was the disruption to the educational process, as entire school days were lost. In one particularly severe incident last month, over 40 schools, including well-known institutions like DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, received similar bomb threats. The emails claimed that small bombs had been planted inside the school buildings and demanded $30,000 in exchange for defusing them.
The city’s law enforcement agencies have been grappling with a rise in such hoaxes in recent weeks, which has led to a growing sense of unease. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal commented on the deteriorating law and order situation in the capital, pointing to the frequent bomb hoaxes as evidence of the growing problem. The police, under the Union Home Ministry, have been working tirelessly to address these threats, but the sheer volume of false alarms has placed immense pressure on the city’s law enforcement resources.
Aside from schools, other public institutions, including airports, have also been targeted by bomb hoaxes during this period. These false alarms have resulted in significant disruptions in the aviation industry, leading to emergency landings, flight delays, and excessive fuel usage. The impact of these hoaxes has been far-reaching, affecting not only public safety but also daily life and the economy.
To counter this growing issue, the Delhi police have started conducting seminars to train school teachers and staff on how to handle bomb threats and related emergencies. The collaboration between the police and the Education Department aims to equip school officials with the necessary skills to act swiftly and effectively in such situations, minimizing panic and ensuring the safety of students.
This is not the first time such hoaxes have made headlines in India. Last year, a 25-year-old unemployed man was arrested by the Delhi police for sending a bomb hoax, while a 17-year-old school dropout in Mumbai was detained for a similar crime, attempting to frame a friend by sending a bomb threat email. These incidents highlight the alarming trend of bomb hoaxes in the country and the growing need for robust systems to address and prevent such activities.
In conclusion, the case of the Class 12 student reflects a broader issue of increasing bomb threats in public spaces, which not only disrupt daily life but also place unnecessary strain on law enforcement agencies and public services. As authorities continue to investigate the motives behind these hoaxes, the importance of swift action, preventive measures, and public awareness remains crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the city’s residents.
BY – KARTIK
