Jaunpur: A major breakthrough has emerged in the case involving bomb threats to the Jaunpur court complex and police lines gate in Uttar Pradesh. The state’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Vishal Ranjan, a resident of Azamgarh, who allegedly orchestrated the threat in a bid to stop his girlfriend’s wedding and implicate her fiancé.
According to ATS officials, on February 17, five separate email IDs were used to send threatening messages to the official email account of the district judge at the Jaunpur District Court. The emails warned of blowing up the court premises and the police lines gate and demanded ₹1 lakh as ransom. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered and the probe was handed over to the ATS.
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Digital Trail Leads to Azamgarh
Investigators discovered that the accused had used VPN services and proxy servers to conceal his identity. However, cyber forensic analysis helped trace the digital trail to Nizamabad in Azamgarh district. Acting on the lead, the ATS raided a rented accommodation in the Sidhari area and arrested Vishal Ranjan.
During the search, five mobile phones and a laptop were seized. Preliminary examination of the devices revealed that the accused had created more than 50 fake email accounts. The threatening emails sent on February 17 were traced back to these fabricated IDs.
Roadways Depot Also Targeted
The investigation further revealed that Ranjan had drafted a similar bomb threat message intended for the Azamgarh Roadways Depot. He was reportedly preparing to send it to the official email address of the transport corporation when he was apprehended.
Love Affair Turned Criminal Conspiracy
During interrogation, Ranjan confessed that he was in a relationship with a young woman whose marriage had been fixed in Jaunpur. Upset over the development, he initially attempted to disrupt the wedding by creating a fake social media profile in the name of her fiancé and posting objectionable content. The issue escalated to a village council, where he was compelled to issue a public apology.
Seeking revenge for the humiliation, he allegedly devised a more elaborate plan. He created fake email accounts using the names and mobile numbers of the fiancé and several youths from the groom’s village. Through these accounts, he sent bomb threat emails to the court, hoping that the investigation would implicate them and land them in jail.
Security Tightened at Court Complex
Following the threat, security at the Jaunpur court complex was significantly enhanced. Intensive checks were carried out and the premises were thoroughly searched. No explosive material was found during the inspection.
ATS officials stated that cyber threats are treated with the same seriousness as physical ones. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the IT Act and other applicable laws. Detailed forensic analysis of the seized electronic devices is underway to determine whether similar threats were issued elsewhere.
Rising Concern Over Cyber Threats
In recent weeks, several districts in Uttar Pradesh have reported bomb threats sent via email to court complexes. Investigating agencies are also examining possible links between such cases. Experts note that while VPNs and proxy servers may temporarily mask an individual’s identity, advanced digital forensic techniques can eventually uncover the source.
Vishal Ranjan has been sent to judicial custody. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
