Serial Hoaxer Arrested for Repeated Bomb Threats to Kashi Express

VARANASI: The Government Railway Police (GRP) Cantt has cracked the case of repeated bomb threats to the Kashi–Dadar Express with the arrest of a serial offender from Mumbai. The accused, identified as Rajesh Shukla, had triggered panic on three separate occasions by making false bomb threat calls targeting the train.

According to officials, Shukla, a native of Machhlishahr in Jaunpur district, was working at Vasudev Paradise Apartment in Mumbai. A GRP team led by Inspector Rajol Nagar tracked him through technical surveillance and arrested him from a PCO booth in Mumbai, from where the threatening calls were made. He has been brought to Varanasi on transit remand for further legal proceedings.

Pattern of Repeated Hoaxes

GRP officials revealed that Shukla is a habitual offender who repeatedly targeted railway authorities with fake threats:

June 2: He issued bomb threats for the Kashi–Dadar Express and Kamayani Express. Though arrested, he was later released on bail.

November 18: Shukla again made a hoax call using a complex 15-digit number to evade tracking. The train was halted and thoroughly searched in Bhadohi.

January 6: A third threat was made, forcing authorities to stop and inspect the train in Mau, once again causing panic among passengers and disrupting rail operations.

Investigation and Evidence

Circle Officer Kunwar Prabhat Singh said that investigators recovered a diary containing contact numbers of senior officials from the accused, raising concerns over his intent to repeatedly misuse sensitive information.

Police traced the accused using Call Detail Records (CDR), eventually identifying the PCO from which the calls were made. The PCO owner confirmed that Shukla was a frequent caller, leading to his arrest.

Impact and Official Response

Repeated hoax threats not only cause panic among passengers but also result in major operational disruptions and waste critical security resources. Railway authorities have reiterated a zero-tolerance policy against such acts, warning that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found spreading false security threats.

Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused acted alone or had any additional motives behind the repeated hoax calls.