The man arrested for triggering a hoax bomb alert on an IndiGo flight last month has been identified as Animesh Mandal, a deputy superintendent-ranked Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer, according to Raipur police. The incident, which occurred on November 14, caused the Kolkata-bound flight from Nagpur to be diverted to Raipur, sparking panic among passengers.
Incident Details
Mandal, 44, reportedly informed the flight crew of a bomb on board shortly after the aircraft took off from Nagpur. The crew immediately notified authorities, leading to the plane’s emergency diversion to Raipur. Security personnel conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft upon landing, finding no suspicious items.
Police Confirmation and Arrest
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Santosh Kumar Singh confirmed Mandal’s position as an IB officer, adding that the agency had been informed of his detention the same day. Singh justified the arrest, explaining that Mandal’s claim had created panic and required urgent verification.
“A joint team questioned Mandal for five hours, confirming the information was false. We have adhered to legal protocols and filed a case under appropriate sections,” Singh stated.
Legal Proceedings
Mandal has been booked under Section 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation through anonymous communication and provisions of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982.
His lawyer, Fiazal Rizvi, argued that Mandal acted on information he believed to be credible and that the alert was made in good faith. Rizvi also criticized the police for not immediately disclosing Mandal’s IB affiliation and questioned the justification for his arrest.
Since Chhattisgarh lacks a designated court under the civil aviation law, Rizvi has filed an application to transfer the case to the high court.
Public Reaction and Implications
The case highlights the challenges of balancing national security and public safety concerns. While the police defended their actions, Mandal’s legal team insisted that his intent was to act on potential intelligence, not to disrupt the flight or cause panic.
Next Steps
The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the origin of the information that led Mandal to issue the alert. Legal proceedings in the high court are awaited to decide the case’s jurisdiction and merit.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the importance of accurate and verified intelligence in high-stakes situations. While Mandal’s actions remain under scrutiny, the case raises broader questions about the protocols governing such alerts by intelligence personnel.
Sources By Agencies