Jagdish Uikey, a 35-year-old from Gondia, a Maoist-affected area in Maharashtra, has been detained in Nagpur for sending nearly 100 hoax emails targeting the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), top government officials, and various flights and trains across India. Uikey had intended to publish a book titled *Atankwad-Ek Tufaani Rakshash* (Terrorism: A Demonic Storm).
Since January, Uikey emailed the PMO and other officials repeatedly, seeking endorsement for his book on terrorism, according to Lohit Matani, Nagpur’s DCP for cybercrime. Frustrated by the lack of support, he eventually resorted to sending false threats.
“Initially, it seemed he was trying to get his book published through repeated emails to the PMO and others, but he later transitioned to sending hoax threats out of frustration,” police commissioner Ravinder Singal told *The Times of India*.
According to additional CP Sanjay Patil, Uikey’s book appears to be a basic compilation of terrorist theories available online.
Content of the Hoax Emails
The police commissioner noted that Uikey had been questioned previously for sending inappropriate emails and for filing a complaint about alleged connections between job seekers and the PMO.
He had previously been interrogated for sending objectionable emails and for another complaint linking job aspirants to the PMO. Although the crime branch investigated, no charges were filed.
In his recent emails, Uikey claimed to warn about “sleeper cell activities within India,” often mirroring alerts from U.S. sources. Authorities are investigating whether he borrowed language from these warnings. Investigations into Uikey’s digital activities and communication patterns are ongoing, with police examining his devices and any cybercafé terminals he may have used.
Authorities flagged 354 emails in his Gmail “sent” folder, revealing a distinct pattern of activity. In October, he sent a false email to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, claiming to have knowledge of a “secret terror code.”
Delhi Police’s special cell has joined the investigation, with officers on the ground in Nagpur to question Uikey. A special branch team led by DCP Shweta Khedkar arrested him at Nagpur railway station on Thursday.
Uikey is currently in police custody, and officials plan to extend his remand. Psychological evaluations are also planned to gain further insights into his actions and motivations.