Mumbai Woman Arrested for False Bomb Threat at Airport, Sparking Security Alert
A 58-year-old woman from Chandivli was arrested on Wednesday at Mumbai International Airport after allegedly creating chaos by screaming that a bomb was planted on a flight. The incident occurred early in the morning and led to a full-scale security response, disrupting operations and causing fear among passengers.
Details of the Airport Incident
Immigration officials stopped Shanti Kothari from boarding a Mumbai-Delhi flight after she reportedly shouted warnings about a bomb on a Mumbai-Ghaziabad flight. The event took place at 4 am at Boarding Gate 51, where Senior Customer Service Executive Officer for Indigo Airlines, Mohammad Sohail Shaikh (28), was making announcements for the Ghaziabad flight at Gate No. 52.
According to police reports, Kothari approached Shaikh and complained about the noise, saying, "Why are you shouting so much? Whoever has to come will come. Why have you made this a fish market here?" She then escalated the situation by loudly declaring, "Don't go on the Ghaziabad flight; there's a bomb in it," as announcements for her Delhi flight began.
Security Response and Arrest
Shaikh immediately alerted security head manager Manoj Dalvi, who notified the CISF Department, Terminal Operations Department, and all government security agencies at Mumbai airport. A meeting was convened, and due to the threatening statements, an atmosphere of fear spread among passengers and staff.
A thorough check of the flights was conducted before takeoff, and Kothari was handed over to Sahar police for further investigation. Police are probing the motive behind her actions, with initial statements suggesting she was annoyed by the airline executive's loud announcements and lost control.
Legal Charges and Family Notification
Kothari has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections:
- Section 125: Act endangering life or personal safety
- Section 351 (2): Criminal intimidation
- Section 353 (1) (b): Public mischief
Authorities have informed her family about the arrest. In the FIR, Shaikh detailed how Kothari warned other flyers in the queue, adding to the panic. The incident highlights the serious consequences of false threats at sensitive locations like airports, where security protocols are stringent to ensure public safety.
