A 27-year-old man from Kolkata's Garden Reach area has been arrested for allegedly sending an email threatening a suicide bomb attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with the help of Al Qaeda. The arrest was made by Kolkata Police on May 17, 2026, following a detailed investigation into the threat.
Details of the Threat
The accused, whose identity has not been disclosed, is said to have used sophisticated digital methods to send the email. He allegedly masked his identity by using a woman's name and employed advanced techniques to avoid detection. The email claimed that the attack would be carried out with the assistance of the Al Qaeda terrorist group.
Investigation and Arrest
Kolkata Police traced the email to the accused after a thorough digital forensic analysis. The investigation revealed that the suspect had also sent similar threatening emails to various government institutions. Police are now probing whether the accused has any links to terrorist networks or acted alone.
“The accused used advanced encryption and proxy servers to hide his location, but our cyber team managed to track him down,” a senior police officer said. The suspect was taken into custody from his residence in Garden Reach and is currently being interrogated.
Security Concerns
The threat has raised security concerns in West Bengal, especially given the high-profile nature of the target. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has been provided additional security, and the state government has urged citizens to remain vigilant. Kolkata Police have also increased surveillance in sensitive areas.
“We are taking this threat very seriously. All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of the chief minister and the public,” said a spokesperson for Kolkata Police.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first time that a threat has been made against a political leader in India. In recent years, there have been several instances of hoax threats and emails targeting politicians. However, the involvement of a terrorist group like Al Qaeda in this case has added a new dimension to the investigation.
Police are also examining whether the accused had any prior criminal record or affiliations with extremist groups. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as the interrogation progresses.
