New Delhi : A wave of unsettling bomb threats gripped several schools in Delhi and Bengaluru on Friday, prompting immediate and rigorous responses from law enforcement and school authorities. Upon receiving the alerts, teams from the police, fire service, bomb disposal squad, and dog squad rushed to the affected schools. This is standard procedure for any bomb threat, whether it targets a market, hospital, school, or aircraft, and agencies treat such calls with the utmost seriousness, even if they are likely hoaxes. Many schools declared an early dismissal as a precautionary measure.
The Delhi Police immediately launched an investigation, involving both local police and cyber units. Investigations revealed that the email sent to the Dwarka school on July 15 was from a 12-year-old student. After tracking down the child, police focused on counselling him to understand the motive behind his actions. His parents were also advised to monitor their child more closely. However, the individuals behind the emails sent to other Delhi schools on July 16 and July 18 are still under investigation.
Previous incidents show a pattern, with a 12th-grade student being identified as the sender of multiple hoax emails between February 2024 and January 2025. Police sources indicated that this student claimed to have sent the emails as a “joke”. In some cases, the investigation has led to traces of emails being routed through servers in Hungary and Russia, making it challenging to identify the exact source.
In most cases involving minor students, police prioritise counselling and warnings to deter future offences. However, if the matter is deemed serious, proceedings may be initiated under the Juvenile Justice Act. In some instances, community service may also be mandated. While law enforcement takes the lead, schools also have a crucial role. Schools can choose to file a First Information Report (FIR) in such cases. If a student is found responsible, the school can also take disciplinary action, including suspension. Over the past 12 months (November 2024 to July 2025), Delhi-NCR schools have received approximately 200 to 250 false bomb threat calls or emails.
