Mumbai Hoax Bomb Threat: APMC Labourer Held After Panic Call to Police

A disturbing phone call claiming an imminent bomb explosion in Mumbai caused a brief panic among security agencies on Tuesday morning, before later being confirmed as a hoax. Around 11:54 am, an unidentified man contacted the Beat Marshal system and delivered a threatening message in Hindi, stating that he was a terrorist and that a bomb blast would occur in the city. Despite the absence of specific details, the alarming nature of the statement prompted authorities to immediately heighten alert levels and initiate precautionary measures across various departments to ensure public safety and prevent any potential risk.

The police launched a swift investigation and were able to trace the origin of the call within a few hours. The accused was identified as 46-year-old Tufan Nurlal Sheikh, a daily wage worker residing in the APMC market area located in Sector 19. According to officials, the man failed to provide any concrete information or credible plan to support his claim, suggesting that the call was intentionally made to spread fear and disrupt normal functioning. Following this, Constable Rajendra Prakash Tayde from APMC police station lodged a formal complaint against the accused.

Authorities have reiterated that even unverified or vague threats related to terrorism are treated with utmost seriousness, as they compel multiple security units to activate emergency protocols. Such responses often involve the deployment of significant manpower and resources, which could otherwise be directed towards genuine cases. Police officials have warned that making hoax calls of this nature is a punishable offence and can lead to strict legal action. They also emphasised that such irresponsible acts can hinder preparedness and response efficiency during actual emergencies, thereby posing a risk to public safety.