A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Noida for allegedly sending a WhatsApp message to the Mumbai Police, threatening dozens of blasts to “kill 1 crore people” in the city during the ongoing Ganesh festival celebrations.
Police said another man was also arrested for allegedly providing his SIM card to the accused for sending the message to the Mumbai traffic police’s helpline on Thursday. The threat claimed that 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered Mumbai with 400 kilograms of RDX, which had been planted in 34 vehicles.
Bomb Threat Suspect Arrested Within 24 Hours
The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a man from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly issuing a bomb threat to the city. The investigation team also recovered the mobile phone and SIM card used in the crime.
Yesterday, the Mumbai… pic.twitter.com/6PjelHjUUw
— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) September 6, 2025
The alert triggered an immediate security huddle as the city prepared for Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, marked by large idol immersion processions.
Accused Arrested from Noida Sector 79
According to sources, the alleged sender was identified as Ashwinikumar Sureshkumar Supra, a resident of Patna, who works as an astrologer and trader. He was traced to Noida Sector 79 through local intelligence, CCTV footage from a grocery shop, and surveillance inputs after he had switched off his mobile phone.
Ashwinikumar, who is reportedly in the process of separating from his wife, was handed over to Mumbai Police following his arrest. Another accused, who had given his SIM card, was detained from Sorakha village.
The arrest was made after Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner CP Rajiv Narayan Mishra contacted Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh for assistance. A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was formed to nab the accused.
Police Probe and Security Measures
Police officials said the sender mentioned the name of an organisation called Lashkar-e-Jihadi in the threat message.
“Traffic police have received such bomb threat messages in the past. There is no need to panic. Security has been beefed up at key locations, and combing operations are underway. Mumbaikars are urged not to believe in rumours and report any suspicious activity,” an officer said.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was also alerted. While prima facie the threat appears to be a hoax, technical analysis is being carried out to verify its source. Authorities stressed that maximum precautions are being taken given the heavy turnout expected on immersion day.
A case was registered at Worli police station under Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with subsections 2, 3, and 4.
More than 21,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order as lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in immersion processions at the sea, lakes, and artificial ponds on Saturday.
