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Jagdish Uikey, a 35-year-old resident of Gondia district in Maharashtra, has been apprehended by the Nagpur Police for allegedly sending 354 hoax emails targeting the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), flights, and trains across India. Uikey's motivation, according to the police, was to gain recognition for his book on terrorism, titled 'Atankwad-Ek Tufaani Rakshash (Terrorism: A Demonic Storm).' He repeatedly sent emails to the PMO and other officials, hoping to secure an endorsement for his book. When these efforts proved unsuccessful, Uikey resorted to sending hoax emails as a means of gaining attention.
The police investigation has revealed a pattern in Uikey's email activity. He frequently issued warnings of sleeper cell activity within India, often aligning his threats with similar warnings circulating from US sources. Authorities have flagged 354 emails in Uikey's Gmail account's sent folder, including one sent to Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in October, where he falsely claimed knowledge of a 'secret terror code.' Uikey's actions are not entirely unprecedented. He has been interrogated twice before, once for sending inappropriate emails and another time for filing a complaint alleging connections between job aspirants and the PMO.
The Nagpur Police are conducting a thorough investigation into Uikey's digital activity and communication patterns. They are examining his devices, cybercafé terminals potentially used to send the emails, call records, laptops, bank accounts, and financial transactions. Uikey is currently in police custody, and his remand is likely to be extended as the investigation continues. The police are also planning to carry out psychological evaluations on Uikey in order to gain a deeper understanding of his motivations and activities. The Delhi Police's special cell has joined the investigation, sending officers to Nagpur to question Uikey.
Uikey's book, according to Nagpur's additional CP Sanjay Patil, is a rudimentary compilation of terrorist theories commonly found online. This incident highlights the potential for individuals to exploit the fear of terrorism for personal gain. The arrest of Uikey underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and vigilance against fraudulent communication, particularly when it concerns national security.
Source: Man Behind Fake Email Threats To Flights, PMO Wanted To Publish Book On ‘Terrorism’, Say Police