In a shocking breach of security, Anubhav Mittal, the prime accused in a ₹3,700 crore online trading scam, allegedly sent a threat email to a High Court judge from inside Lucknow jail. Investigations revealed that the email was sent using a policeman’s phone, which Mittal had borrowed under false pretenses. Both the accused and the constable have now been booked under IT Act and criminal intimidation charges.
How the Threat Unfolded
According to police sources, on November 4, Anubhav Mittal was taken to court for a hearing under the custody of constable Ajay Kumar, posted at the police lines. During the proceedings, Mittal requested to use Kumar’s phone, claiming he needed to check some case-related information.
Using the device, he allegedly created a new email ID and drafted a threat message to a Lucknow bench High Court judge, warning of an assassination attempt. The email was scheduled to be sent automatically the next morning — ensuring it would go unnoticed immediately.
When the message landed in the judge’s official inbox the following day, alarm spread across the judicial corridors.
Attempt to Frame Another Inmate
Preliminary investigation revealed that Mittal sent the email not only to threaten but also to frame another inmate, Anandeshwar Agrahari, with whom he had a personal feud. Agrahari has been lodged in the Lucknow jail since December 2023 in connection with a murder case.
Officials discovered that Mittal used fake names and aliases in the email and included language suggesting a direct threat to kill a sitting High Court judge.
Case Registered Under IT Act
After verification, senior officers confirmed the email originated from constable Ajay Kumar’s phone. A joint probe by the Cyber Crime Cell and the Crime Branch established that Mittal had manipulated the constable and used his phone for the act.
A formal FIR has been lodged naming both Anubhav Mittal and Ajay Kumar, charging them with criminal conspiracy and threats under the IT Act. Police officials said Mittal’s intent was to intimidate authorities and assert his influence inside the prison.
The ₹3,700-Crore Online Trading Scam
Anubhav Mittal, the director of Ablaze Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd., was arrested in 2017 by the Uttar Pradesh STF for running a Ponzi-style online trading scheme that duped over seven lakh investors across India.
The scam, which promised “quick returns” through online advertisement clicks, turned out to be one of India’s largest digital investment frauds, involving more than ₹3,700 crore. Over 324 FIRs have been registered against Mittal, his wife Ayushi Mittal, and his father Sunil Mittal, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.
Judicial Security Under Scrutiny
The incident has raised serious concerns about judicial and digital security within Uttar Pradesh’s prisons. Experts say the case exposes a major lapse in surveillance, as a high-profile inmate was able to use a policeman’s mobile phone to access the internet and send threatening emails to a sitting judge.
Authorities have handed the case to the Cyber Crime Unit, while the prison department has been directed to submit a detailed report on how the breach occurred.
Official Statement
A senior officer stated:
“This is not just a cybercrime but a serious threat to judicial security. Every digital access point used by the accused is being thoroughly examined.”
Mittal’s company, Ablaze Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd., was based in Noida and operated online platforms promising “advertising-based income.” The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and police had earlier seized several properties linked to the scam.
Investigators believe Mittal continues to influence operations and associates from within jail, raising concerns about inmate privileges and digital monitoring.
