Astrologer’s Revenge Plot Leads to Mumbai Security Scare
Mumbai Police placed the city on high alert after receiving a chilling WhatsApp message claiming that 34 “human bombs” loaded with RDX were ready to unleash destruction. Investigations later revealed that the message was not from a terror group but from a 51-year-old astrologer in Noida, who sent the threat to frame his friend.
The accused, identified as Ashwini Kumar, was arrested from Noida’s Sector 79 in the early hours of Saturday. According to police, Kumar held a long-standing grudge against his acquaintance, Firoz, who had previously filed a case against him in 2023. That complaint had led to Kumar spending three months in jail, a humiliation he reportedly never forgave.
The Chilling Message to Mumbai Police
The threatening message was sent to the official WhatsApp number of the Mumbai Traffic Police on Friday. Claiming to be from the militant organisation ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’, the sender warned that 34 vehicles carrying 400 kilograms of RDX were parked across Mumbai. The message further added that 14 Pakistani terrorists had already infiltrated India and a massive explosion would “shake the entire city.”
The timing of the message raised alarm as it coincided with elaborate security arrangements for Anant Chaturdashi, the concluding day of the Ganesh festival, when thousands gather for immersion processions across Mumbai. Police scrambled to verify the authenticity of the threat, triggering citywide alerts and emergency checks.
Investigations Trace Message to Noida
The Crime Branch immediately took over the probe and worked to identify the origin of the WhatsApp message. With the help of digital forensics, investigators traced the number back to Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. A team was quickly dispatched to Noida, where they apprehended Kumar from his residence.
During the arrest, officers recovered seven mobile phones, three SIM cards, six memory card holders, two digital cards, and multiple SIM card adapters from his possession. Officials said this indicated that Kumar was attempting to mask his digital trail while crafting the threat.
Motive Rooted in Past Rivalry
Police sources revealed that Kumar’s motive was purely personal revenge. Firoz, his former friend and a resident of Bihar, had lodged a case against him in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif police station in 2023. The complaint resulted in Kumar’s three-month incarceration. Since then, the astrologer allegedly plotted to implicate Firoz in a grave case to “settle scores.”
In his plan, Kumar impersonated Firoz by using his name while sending the threatening message, hoping that law enforcement would pin the crime on him. Instead, cyber-tracking led directly back to Kumar, unraveling his scheme.
Police Response and Legal Action
A case has been registered at Worli police station in Mumbai, and Kumar is being transported to the city to be produced before a magistrate. Authorities confirmed that he faces charges under sections related to criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and issuing terror threats.
Senior officials said that although the threat turned out to be a hoax, it forced massive deployment of resources and put the city under unnecessary panic. “Any such messages are treated with utmost seriousness, especially during festivals when crowds are large and vulnerable. The accused will face strict legal consequences,” an officer stated.
High Alert During Ganesh Festival
The incident came at a sensitive time, with Mumbai Police already on heightened alert for Anant Chaturdashi processions. Security checks at entry points, railway stations, and key public areas were intensified after the message surfaced. While the scare was later declared a false alarm, the authorities stressed that hoax threats are treated with the same urgency as genuine ones, given the potential risks to public safety.
Community Reactions
Residents expressed both relief and concern after the arrest. Many voiced anger over the misuse of police resources and the public distress caused by Kumar’s actions. Legal experts observed that the severity of the charges could result in prolonged imprisonment, as issuing terror threats—real or fabricated—falls under stringent provisions of Indian law.
Conclusion
What began as a personal vendetta escalated into a citywide security scare, highlighting how personal grudges can spiral into major public safety incidents. The arrest of Ashwini Kumar serves as a reminder that technology misused for revenge can have dangerous and far-reaching consequences, especially in matters involving national security.
