CHANDIGARH – In a significant development that brings a sense of relief to parents, educators, and public officials across the region, the Chandigarh Police has announced a major breakthrough in the investigation into a series of hoax bomb threats that have rattled the city for months. SSP Kanwardeep Kaur confirmed that following a meticulous technical investigation, a key suspect has been identified and apprehended in Gujarat.
The arrest follows a wave of panic-inducing emails sent to multiple schools, government institutions, and high-profile locations across the Tricity area (Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali). These threats, which began as early as January, forced several evacuations, disrupted the academic calendar, and stretched the resources of local security agencies.
The Investigation: A Digital Paper Trail
The breakthrough came after the Chandigarh Cyber Crime Cell, in coordination with central agencies and the Gujarat Police, traced the digital footprint of the emails. According to official reports, the suspect—identified as Sourav Biswas—was initially nabbed by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch in connection with similar threats sent to institutions in Gujarat.
Subsequent interrogation and forensic analysis of digital devices revealed a direct link to the emails received by institutions in Chandigarh. The investigation highlights several key challenges faced by law enforcement:
- IP Masking: The suspect used sophisticated methods, including Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), to bounce his digital location across countries like Bangladesh, the United States, and parts of Europe.
- Encrypted Platforms: Some threats were sent via end-to-end encrypted services like Proton Mail, which required international legal intervention through authorities in Switzerland to trace.
- Ideological Misdirection: The emails often contained diverse and contradictory narratives, referencing various political organizations and militant groups. Investigators believe this was a deliberate tactic to create confusion and mislead security agencies.
Timeline of Panic and Response
The series of hoaxes created a state of high alert in the city. Notable incidents included:
- January 2024: Multiple private schools in Chandigarh and Mohali received early-morning emails claiming explosives were planted on their premises. This led to the immediate evacuation of thousands of students.
- February – March 2024: The threats expanded to include the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Chandigarh Secretariat, the Mayor’s office, and even passport offices.
- Search Operations: In every instance, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), accompanied by canine units, conducted exhaustive sweeps. Fortunately, every single threat was eventually declared a hoax.
SSP Kanwardeep Kaur emphasized that while the threats were false, the psychological impact on the community was real. “The safety of our citizens, especially students, is our top priority. We are in the process of obtaining production warrants to bring the accused to Chandigarh for further questioning,” she stated during a press briefing.
A Nationwide Pattern
This arrest is not just a win for Chandigarh but a critical piece of a much larger puzzle. Similar hoax threats have been reported in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru over the past year. Authorities are now investigating whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a larger network looking to create mass public disorder.
Police officials have noted that the accused appeared to be an expert in masking his identity, using both recently created accounts and decade-old IDs with minimal recovery information to bypass standard security protocols.
Moving Forward: Vigilance and Cybersecurity
While the arrest marks a milestone, the Chandigarh Police has urged the public and institutional heads to remain vigilant but calm.
- Enhanced Security: Schools and government buildings have been advised to maintain updated CCTV surveillance and stricter entry protocols.
- Digital Reporting: Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious digital communications immediately to the dedicated Cyber Crime portal.
The Chandigarh Police department is currently coordinating with BharatPol (India’s nodal agency for Interpol coordination) to seek further data from international service providers. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that those who use digital platforms to incite terror and disrupt public peace are held accountable under the law.
As the legal proceedings against the suspect commence in Gujarat, the focus in Chandigarh shifts toward strengthening cyber defenses and ensuring that such “digital terrorism” does not paralyze the city’s vital institutions again.
