Noida Man Arrested for Mumbai Terror Threat – Fake Human Bombs & RDX Hoax Ahead of Ganesh Visarjan
By: Javid Amin | 05 Aug 2025
Breaking News: Terror Threat Shakes Mumbai Ahead of Ganesh Visarjan
Just a day before the Ganesh Visarjan celebrations in Mumbai, the city went on high alert after the Mumbai Traffic Police received a shocking WhatsApp message.
The message claimed that 34 human bombs were planted across the city, that 14 Pakistani terrorists had infiltrated India, and that 400 kg of RDX would be used to create mass destruction.
The sender, posing as a member of ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’, warned that the city would be “shaken.”
Arrest in Noida: Who is Ashwini Kumar?
Within hours of a coordinated investigation, Mumbai Police traced the threat to Ashwini Kumar (51), an astrologer from Bihar’s Patliputra, living in Noida for the last five years.
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Profession: Astrologer
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Origin: Patliputra, Bihar
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Current residence: Noida (U.P.)
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History: Spent 3 months in jail in 2023 after a case filed by his friend, Firoz
Police seized:
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7 mobile phones
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3 SIM cards
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Multiple memory card holders & digital cards
Ashwini is now being brought to Mumbai for interrogation.
Motive Behind the Threat: A Personal Vendetta
Unlike what the threatening message suggested, there was no real terror plot.
Ashwini Kumar’s motive, according to the FIR:
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He wanted to frame his friend, Firoz.
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Firoz had previously filed a case against him in Phulwari Sharif, Patna, leading to Ashwini’s arrest in 2023.
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To take revenge, Ashwini crafted a fake message in Firoz’s name, making it appear like a terror plot.
This petty feud escalated into a city-wide security panic, putting Mumbai under near-lockdown mode just before a major festival.
Mumbai Police Response: Security Tightened
The timing of the threat was extremely sensitive, coming on the eve of Ganesh Visarjan—a festival that draws millions of devotees into Mumbai’s streets and seafronts.
Police immediately:
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Deployed extra forces across key Ganesh pandals & visarjan routes
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Enhanced checking at railway stations, bus terminals, and airports
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Coordinated with intelligence agencies to verify the claim
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Monitored WhatsApp & digital communications for further threats
Officials later confirmed that it was a hoax, but warned that such fake alerts are not taken lightly, as they can trigger panic and drain emergency resources.
Broader Implications: Fake Terror Threats as Security Risks
Even though this turned out to be a hoax, such threats:
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Divert critical police resources away from real issues
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Spread panic among citizens
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Strain festival security, especially during large gatherings like Ganesh Visarjan
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Raise communal tensions, since the message falsely linked the threat to Pakistani terrorists
Experts say India has seen a rise in WhatsApp-based hoaxes and fake terror alerts, highlighting the need for:
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Better cybercrime monitoring
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Stricter punishments for false threats
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Public awareness campaigns to reduce panic in such situations
Legal Action & Possible Charges
Ashwini Kumar faces charges under:
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IPC Sections for criminal intimidation & spreading false information
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IT Act provisions for misuse of communication platforms
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Possible charges under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), depending on investigation
Legal experts say that even if the threat was a hoax, the severity of the claim (human bombs, RDX, Pakistani terrorists) could attract serious charges.
Conclusion: A Lesson for All
The Noida astrologer’s prank fueled by personal revenge snowballed into a major security scare in Mumbai.
While Mumbai Police quickly neutralized the threat, the incident is a reminder that:
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False terror threats have real consequences.
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Security agencies cannot afford to dismiss any alert.
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Individuals misusing technology for vendetta risk long jail terms.
As Mumbai breathes a sigh of relief, one thing is clear: in today’s digital world, a single WhatsApp message can hold an entire city hostage—whether the threat is real or fake.
