Mangaluru: A hoax bomb threat email sent to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mangaluru triggered panic and heightened security measures on Monday, prompting an extensive search operation by the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS). After thorough checks, officials confirmed that the threat was false and no explosives were found on the premises.
According to a complaint lodged with the Mangaluru South police, the threatening email was received in the early hours of Monday at 1.19 am. However, it came to the notice of officials only later in the day, when it was read at around 12.05 pm. The delay notwithstanding, the authorities acted swiftly once the contents of the email were known.
The complaint was filed by Murugendra B Shirolkar, the in-charge deputy transport commissioner and senior RTO officer in Mangaluru. In his statement to the police, Shirolkar said the email contained alarming claims and was written in a manner intended to cause fear and disruption within the government office.
Contents of the threatening email
The email alleged that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) cells operating in the Tamil Nadu division had joined hands with former cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to carry out a “remote blast operation” at the Mangaluru RTO office. It further claimed that bombs had been planted at five different locations within the RTO premises.
Given the sensitive nature of the allegations and the mention of multiple explosive devices, the message was treated as a serious security threat. Officials immediately alerted the local police and other emergency response teams.
Immediate security response
Following the complaint, the Mangaluru South police coordinated with the bomb detection and disposal squad to carry out a comprehensive search of the RTO office. The entire building and its surrounding areas were checked systematically, including offices, corridors, parking areas and other vulnerable points.
During the operation, access to parts of the premises was restricted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Employees present in the building were advised to cooperate with security personnel, while normal activities were temporarily disrupted.
After several hours of inspection, the BDDS team confirmed that no suspicious objects or explosive materials were found anywhere in the RTO office. The threat was subsequently declared a hoax, bringing relief to officials and the public.
Police register case, investigation underway
City police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH confirmed that a case has been registered at the Mangaluru South police station in connection with the hoax email. He said the police have taken the matter seriously and initiated an investigation to trace the source of the email.
Cybercrime experts are expected to examine the email’s origin, including the IP address and any digital trails left by the sender. Police officials said stringent action will be taken against those responsible once they are identified, as such hoax threats waste public resources and create unnecessary fear.
Rising concern over hoax threats
Incidents of hoax bomb threats targeting public offices, schools, airports and courts have been reported across various parts of India in recent years. Such threats often lead to large-scale security deployments, disruption of essential services and anxiety among citizens.
Senior police officials have repeatedly warned that making false threats is a serious criminal offence under Indian law and can attract severe punishment, including imprisonment and fines. They have urged the public to act responsibly and refrain from spreading rumours or sending misleading messages.
Ensuring public safety
Authorities in Mangaluru reiterated that there was no cause for panic and that adequate security measures are in place to handle emergencies. The RTO office resumed normal functioning after the all-clear was given by the bomb squad.
Officials also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or communication to the police without delay. While Monday’s incident turned out to be a hoax, police stressed that every such threat must be treated with utmost seriousness to ensure public safety.
The case remains under investigation, with police hopeful of identifying the sender of the email and preventing similar incidents in the future.