Kochi
The police have registered cases under cyber terrorism after Cochin Shipyard received e-mails twice in the past 20 days, warning of bombs going off in the shipyard where the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) that will be christened INS Vikrant and is undergoing sea trials, was built.
Sources said the Ernakulam South Police Station has registered cases under Section 66 F (cyber terrorism, a charge that can attract punishment up to life imprisonment) of IT Act and Section 384 of IPC.
The police and the CISF have stepped up security of the shipyard and the waterbody in its vicinity following the bomb threats. The Navy had already stepped up its vigil following the current geopolitical situation in the country’s neighbourhood, Naval sources said.
“An investigation, launched about three weeks ago after the shipyard received an e-mail threat, has been intensified after yet another threat a couple of days ago. We are trying to identify the source of the e-mail,” said police sources.
On whether the development had anything similar to a handwritten letter threatening Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar the past week, they replied in the negative.
Security beefed up
A preliminary enquiry suggests the e-mail bomb threats were hoax. However, security has been stepped up for the IAC and other vessels. A bomb disposal squad conducted checks in the IAC and a few other naval ships, they added. A team led by the Ernakulam South CI is investigating the case.
The threats come in the aftermath of the police earlier this year arresting an Afghan national who carried forged documents and was employed by a contractor at the shipyard. In another incident in 2019, computer components of the IAC were found stolen. The NIA, which investigated the case, had arrested two workers — who hailed from Bihar and Rajasthan — deployed by a contractor in connection with the theft.
