In an extraordinary breach of security, Anubhav Mittal, the key accused in a ₹3,700-crore online trading scam, allegedly sent a death threat email to a Lucknow High Court judge from inside prison — using a policeman’s mobile phone.
The email, which warned of an attack on a judge of the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench, was reportedly sent under a false identity to frame another inmate. The incident has triggered serious concern over the ease of digital access within Indian jails and the growing sophistication of white-collar criminals behind bars.
Policeman’s Phone Used to Send the Threat
Investigators said the incident occurred on November 4, when constable Ajay Kumar escorted Mittal to a court hearing. During the proceeding, Mittal requested the constable’s phone “to check case updates.”
According to the Cyber Cell and Crime Branch, Mittal then created a new email ID, composed the threatening message, and scheduled it to send automatically the next morning. The email was successfully delivered to the judge’s official inbox the following day.
“The forensic analysis revealed that the email originated from Constable Kumar’s device,” a senior officer confirmed. “It was an intentional ploy by Mittal to implicate another inmate in a false case.”
An Attempt to Frame a Fellow Inmate
Police sources said Mittal had personal enmity with another prisoner, Anandeshwar Agrahari, who has been in jail since 2023 in connection with a murder case. The fraudulent email, officers said, was sent to frame Agrahari as the originator of the threat.
Both Mittal and Constable Kumar have now been booked under criminal intimidation and provisions of the IT Act.
The Scamster Behind Bars
Anubhav Mittal is a familiar name in India’s financial fraud investigations. Arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) in 2017, Mittal was accused of running a fake “online trading” scheme that defrauded nearly 700,000 investors of ₹3,700 crore.
Over 324 criminal cases are registered against him across multiple states. His wife, Ayushi and father Sunil Mittal are also co-accused and remain in judicial custody.
The fresh incident raises troubling questions about security lapses in Uttar Pradesh prisons and the ability of high-profile inmates to manipulate digital systems from within.
Digital Access in Prisons Under Scrutiny
The case has reignited debate on how Indian jails are grappling with tech-enabled inmates. Experts say smartphones and messaging apps have turned into powerful tools for fraud and manipulation, even inside high-security facilities.
“This shows the evolution of cybercrime — from boardrooms to behind bars,” said a cybercrime officer familiar with the probe. “Access to digital devices in prison is no longer just a matter of smuggling; it’s about oversight and accountability.”
A senior prison official said the department is reviewing digital supervision policies, including random device audits and restricted communication protocols for inmates charged with cyber or financial crimes.
