Mumbai :- In a deeply unsettling pattern that has gripped the city’s educational ecosystem with fear, at least 11 prominent schools across Mumbai have received bomb threat emails over the last two months. While no actual explosives have been found, the recurring nature of the threats and the use of international VPNs has raised serious concerns.
The hoax emails, sent to institutions in areas including Vile Parle, Kandivali, Govandi, Samta Nagar, Dombivli, and Powai, were routed through virtual private networks located in countries like Sweden, the United States, Australia, and Norway. This digital cloak has made tracing the origin of the threats more complex, but investigators believe all the messages may have stemmed from a single source.
What stands out is the consistency in the language and tone of the emails, despite being sent from different Hotmail and Outlook accounts. Names used include “Nakhiran. Gopal” and “Divij Prabhakar Lakshmi,” indicating deliberate attempts to mask identity and mislead investigators. The emails carried disturbing references to RDX, known terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru, and even alluded to the Hyderabad gangrape case—language clearly intended to spark maximum alarm.
A particularly tense moment occurred on June 24, when a school in Vile Parle received an email at around 4:30 a.m. Emergency protocols were swiftly activated and a thorough search was conducted, but, as in all previous cases, no explosives were found.
So far, five FIRs have been registered, and Mumbai Police’s cyber and anti-terror squads are actively collaborating to trace the digital footprint of the sender. Preliminary analysis suggests the motive may not be linked to terrorism, but rather rooted in mischief, disruption, or psychological disturbance.
Authorities have emphasized that there is no concrete intelligence suggesting any real terror threat. Still, the repeated targeting of schools—safe spaces meant to nurture young minds—has left parents, teachers, and students shaken.
“We are taking these threats very seriously,” a senior police official said. “Even if they are hoaxes, they create fear, disrupt lives, and strain emergency resources. We urge parents and students to stay calm and not give in to panic or rumor-mongering.”
As the investigation continues, the city remains on high alert—vigilant, but resolute
