Chennai Airport News: US Software Engineer Held in 1,500 Hoax Bomb Threat Email Investigation
Chennai Airport News
A US-based software engineer was detained at Chennai International Airport in connection with an investigation into more than 1,500 hoax bomb threat emails sent to airports, educational institutions, government officials, and other important locations across India between 2023 and 2025.
The Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) detained the suspect in the early hours of Wednesday after he arrived in Chennai on an Etihad Airways flight. The investigation was related to a long-running case involving repeated fake bomb threats that created security concerns across the country.
For nearly three years, several anonymous bomb threat emails were sent to different organisations and public places. Each message resulted in emergency security measures, including airport checks, evacuations, and deployment of bomb disposal teams. However, after investigation, all the alerts were found to be false.
According to officials, the breakthrough came during an investigation led by I. Shanaz, who was earlier working with the Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing. Investigators traced the person behind the emails after the suspect accidentally responded to one of the threat messages using his personal email account. This mistake helped police identify his digital trail despite attempts to hide his identity through online anonymity methods.
The detained person was identified as Sarath Subramanian Shankar, a native of Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. He had been living in Austin, Texas, USA, where he worked as a software engineer with a private company.
Immigration officials detained him after he landed at Chennai airport. The ATS is now conducting further investigation to understand the reason behind the fake threats and whether any other individuals were involved in the activity.
Authorities are examining digital evidence, communication records, and other technical details related to the case. Since the emails targeted airports, schools, government offices, and other sensitive locations, security agencies are treating the matter seriously.
Fake bomb threats can cause major disruption, leading to flight delays, security checks, panic among passengers, and heavy use of emergency resources. Airports and security agencies across India have been working to improve cyber monitoring systems to identify and prevent such threats.
The detention of the software engineer marks a significant development in the case. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation by the Tamil Nadu ATS and other security agencies. The case also highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures in tracking online crimes and protecting public safety.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
