Patna High Court. File photo
By Neeraj KumarÂ
Patna: Police have arrested a man accused of issuing bomb threats to courts, airports and other sensitive locations across Bihar and Jharkhand. The accused, identified as 47-year-old Srinivas Lewis, was apprehended by the Delhi Cyber Police from Vrindavan Layout in Mysuru, Karnataka.
According to officials, Lewis had repeatedly threatened to blow up the Patna Civil Court over the past several months. He is also alleged to have sent threatening emails targeting the Patna High Court, other courts across Bihar and Jharkhand, airports, educational institutions and trains, keeping security agencies on high alert.
Investigations have revealed that more than 1,100 cases have been registered against him across the country for issuing threats via email. In Bihar alone, around 50 cases are reportedly pending against him. He had been on the radar of security agencies for a considerable period.
During the arrest, police recovered a laptop and several electronic devices from his possession. Preliminary findings indicate that he had also sent threatening emails to a judge of the Delhi High Court, further escalating the seriousness of the case.
City SP Diksha stated that the arrest was carried out by the Delhi Police. A team from Patna Police will soon travel to Delhi to bring the accused on a production warrant for further legal proceedings in Bihar.
Cases have been registered against him under charges of criminal intimidation, disturbing public order, and cyber terrorism under the IT Act. Preparations are underway to bring him to Patna, she added.
Police inquiries have also revealed that Lewis was once a law student but failed to clear his final-year examinations and subsequently dropped out. He was currently unemployed and residing in Mysuru with his retired schoolteacher mother.
Officials further stated that his mental health is being assessed. Preliminary investigations suggest that he was disgruntled with the judicial system and dissatisfied with court procedures, which allegedly motivated him to issue such threats. His intent was reportedly to disrupt judicial processes and create panic.
Following the arrest, security agencies have expressed relief, although security measures at sensitive installations have been further strengthened. Further investigations are underway to examine his network and identify any possible accomplices.
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