NEW DELHI: In a continuing development, more than 275 flights operated by all major Indian carriers have been subjected to hoax bomb threats over the past 12 days. The unprecedented surge in false alarms has caused significant disruptions, financial losse, and heightened security measures across the aviation sector.

On October 26 alone, 33 flights received bomb threats, with 11 flights each from IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara being targeted. The threats, primarily issued through social media platforms, have prompted the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT Ministry) to urge social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to such misinformation.

The IT Ministry has issued an advisory reminding social media intermediaries of their responsibilities under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The advisory emphasizes the need for prompt action to prevent the dissemination of hoax bomb threats and other unlawful information.

The government has also warned that social media platforms failing to comply with these guidelines could face legal consequences. The advisory highlights the additional liability under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which mandates reporting certain offenses perceived to threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, or security of India.

The surge in hoax bomb threats has not only disrupted domestic flights but also affected international flights operated by Indian carriers. The threats have led to emergency landings, delays, and heightened security protocols, causing inconvenience to passengers and financial losses to airlines.

Authorities have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for issuing these threats. The Indian aviation minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, has stated that perpetrators will be put on a no-fly list and could face jail time4. The government is also considering amendments to make issuing hoax bomb threats a cognizable offense, with severe punishments and fines.

As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of passengers and minimizing disruptions to the aviation sector. The collaborative efforts of government agencies, airlines, and social media platforms are crucial in addressing this alarming trend and restoring normalcy to air travel.