The Story of India’s Serial Hoaxer
In a case that has rattled authorities across India, Jagdish Shriram Uikey, a 35-year-old writer from Maharashtra, was arrested after allegedly issuing over 100 hoax bomb threats targeting flights, trains, and high-profile government officials. These false alarms spurred heightened security measures, even as they added stress to the already complex security landscape in India. The Nagpur Police tracked down Uikey after a two-week search, uncovering his history of attention-seeking stunts and motivations that reveal a troubling quest for recognition.
Who Is Jagdish Uikey?
Jagdish Uikey, a resident of Arjuni Morgaon in Maharashtra’s Gondia district, has been described as a self-styled author who wrote a book titled Atankwad-Ek Tufaani Rakshash (Terrorism: A Demonic Storm). Although he has only completed his education up to the 11th grade, Uikey attempted to position himself as a terrorism expert, claiming his book exposes the “hidden truths” of terrorism in unprecedented ways. Priced at Rs 350 on Amazon, he promoted his work by pledging half the profits to national causes.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal indicated that Uikey’s actions stemmed not from actual ties to terrorism but from a desire for attention. When repeated attempts to gain recognition from government officials went unanswered, Uikey allegedly resorted to hoax bomb threats, intending to pressure authorities into acknowledging him and his book.
A Trail of Threats and Chaos
Beginning in early 2023, Uikey’s emails ramped up dramatically, with threats becoming increasingly detailed and alarming. Between October 25 and 30 alone, Uikey reportedly issued threats targeting 30 different sites across India, and in one instance, claimed knowledge of an elaborate terror plot involving a “secret code.” His emails targeted top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting meetings with them to discuss “critical security information.”
One of Uikey’s more elaborate threats involved claims to hijack 31 flights operated by major airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. He also mentioned threats from international terror groups, heightening anxieties across the country and prompting security forces to raise their alert levels. Such messages led to intensified airport security and an alert issued to the CISF, India’s central security force.
How Authorities Tracked Him Down
Nagpur Police, led by Deputy Commissioner Shweta Khedkar, used technical tracking methods to trace Uikey’s activities. By analyzing the internet protocol (IP) addresses linked to his emails, along with data from Google and his mobile phone’s SIM card registration, authorities pinpointed Uikey as the perpetrator.
Following a thorough review of his digital footprints, police discovered that Uikey had left Maharashtra and moved to Delhi, where he continued sending threats. On his return to Nagpur, he was apprehended by local police and taken into custody. Police Commissioner Singal revealed that authorities are now scrutinizing his devices, call records, and financial transactions for additional evidence of intent or potential accomplices.
Previous Legal Troubles
This arrest wasn’t Uikey’s first run-in with the law. Reports show that he had been questioned twice in 2021, once for sending inappropriate messages and another time after filing a suspicious complaint that attempted to involve job seekers with the Prime Minister’s Office. Authorities are now exploring whether his earlier actions were precursors to his recent attempts to gain attention by escalating his tactics to national security threats.
What Motivated Uikey’s Actions?
Police reports suggest that Uikey’s actions were less about inciting actual harm and more about a misguided attempt to gain recognition and promote his self-published work. His repeated, high-profile targets were likely chosen to amplify attention toward his self-proclaimed expertise on terrorism, though his threats contained borrowed phrases from American media outlets, leading some to suspect he mirrored details from U.S. sources to lend credibility to his claims.
A Troubling Quest for Recognition
Jagdish Uikey’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who, driven by personal motives, create real security risks through deceptive means. His hoax threats disrupted flights, placed India’s security forces on high alert, and diverted critical resources. Now in custody, Uikey faces charges that may bring an end to his quest for fame through false alarms. Authorities have stated they plan to extend his detention, as psychological evaluations and further investigations unfold to better understand his motivations and prevent similar incidents in the future.
(With inputs from agencies)
