Two prominent international schools in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) were thrown into chaos on Monday morning after receiving emails threatening that bombs had been planted on their campuses. The threats, which triggered massive emergency responses, were later declared a hoax following thorough searches.
Identical Threats Spark Evacuations
According to police officials, the threatening emails arrived on the official email addresses of the schools around 7 am on Monday, December 1, 2025. The content of the messages was identical, with only the names of the institutions changed. The affected schools were Billabong High International School in Santacruz (West), Mumbai, and the Singapore International School in Mira Road, Thane.
Upon receiving the alerts, local police teams, along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and fire brigade units, rushed to both locations. As a standard precautionary measure, students and staff were immediately evacuated, and the entire premises were subjected to intensive searches. "The children were taken out and the entire premises evacuated. Each and every corner of the school was searched but nothing suspicious was found," confirmed a police officer from the Santacruz case.
Wider Pattern of Hoax Threats Uncovered
The Mumbai Crime Branch, which has taken up a parallel investigation, revealed a disturbing pattern. They suspect that the same anonymous sender may be responsible for at least 17 similar threat emails sent to various high-profile establishments across the MMR over the past year. The list of previous targets is extensive and alarming, including:
- Courts
- The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
- Five-star hotels
- Other educational institutions
Officials further added that identical threat emails had also been sent to establishments in Chennai, indicating a potentially wider reach. In total, more than 20 cases have been registered in connection with this series of bomb hoaxes. Given the sensitive and persistent nature of the threats, central agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have also joined the probe.
Detailed Account of the Incidents
At Billabong High International School, authorities informed the Vakola police around 10:05 am. A team headed by an Assistant Police Inspector responded swiftly. The search was expanded to adjacent areas, including a nearby studio and a wedding hall, as an added precaution. The police have registered a Non-Cognisable (NC) offence and are working to trace the origin of the email.
A nearly identical sequence unfolded at the Singapore International School in Mira Road. The school alerted the Kashimira police after receiving the email at 7 am. "The school was evacuated and the bomb disposal squad and police cordoned off the area and checked premises but nothing suspicious was found here too. It was a hoax," said Senior Inspector Rajendra Kamble of the Kashimira police station. An NC has been registered there as well, with investigations ongoing.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for the Sender
The primary focus for all investigating agencies is now to identify and apprehend the individual or group behind these serial hoax threats. The use of identical language across multiple emails suggests a single source. Despite the extensive probe involving local police, the Crime Branch, and national agencies, no arrests have been made so far.
These incidents highlight the significant resources diverted and panic caused by such malicious communications. They also underscore the need for robust cyber-investigation capabilities to track down perpetrators who exploit digital anonymity to disrupt public order and safety.
