A 13-year-old boy was apprehended for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Airport falsely claiming that a bomb had been planted on a Dubai-bound flight, police reported on June 23. The boy admitted to sending the email “just for fun” after being influenced by the news of another teenager who had made a hoax bomb threat call a few days prior, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangnani.
The hoax email caused significant alarm, leading to heightened security measures and emergency protocols at one of India’s busiest airports.
Delhi Airport Incident Details and Initial Response
The incident occurred on June 17, when a complaint was registered regarding a bomb threat on a flight scheduled for June 18. The police swiftly lodged an FIR and launched an investigation. “All the guidelines, protocols, and SOPs were followed to ensure the safety and security of the passengers,” DCP Rangnani stated.
Airports on High Alert
Forty-one airports went into a tizzy following the receipt of the bomb threat email. “The airport (Delhi Airport) was put on high alert, and an emergency was declared,” DCP Rangnani noted. However, the email was later determined to be a hoax.
Investigation and Apprehension
The investigation revealed that the email ID used for the threat was deleted immediately after the email was sent. The email was traced to Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. A police team was dispatched, and the boy was apprehended.
“The boy told the police team that his parents had given him a mobile phone for study purposes, through which he sent the email and later deleted his ID,” DCP Rangnani explained. The boy did not inform his parents about the incident related to Delhi Airport as he was scared. After being apprehended, he was handed over to his parents.
Context and Background
The boy’s actions were influenced by a recent incident involving another teenager who had made a similar hoax bomb threat. This incident highlights the impact of media coverage on impressionable minds and the serious consequences of such pranks.
Police Response and Preventive Measures
In response to the hoax threat, police and New Delhi Airport authorities ensured that all standard operating procedures were meticulously followed to maintain passenger safety. The quick tracing of the email to its source and the subsequent apprehension of the boy demonstrates the efficiency of the investigative process.
The apprehension of the 13-year-old for the hoax bomb threat email underscores the severe repercussions of such actions, even when done in jest. The incident also brings attention to the importance of parental supervision and the responsible use of technology by minors.
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