Mumbai: Woman makes hoax calls about terrorist in city

While the city police were immersed in Ganeshotsav preparations, a distressing call to the Mumbai Police control room triggered panic. A woman, who called the police on Thursday and Friday, claimed that one Mangesh Machhwara, a "terrorist from Pakistan", was residing in Goregaon. The local police promptly acted on this information. However, upon reaching the specified location, they found no evidence to support the woman's claims. It was discovered that the call traced back to the same woman who had made a similar false report last Wednesday, an officer stated.

Subsequently, Goregaon police officials disclosed that the woman responsible for the call is a 50-year-old suffering from schizophrenia and undergoing treatment with a psychiatrist in Ghatkopar. Further investigation revealed that this woman had made a staggering 110 calls to the control room since 2022. Given her condition, authorities are taking a lenient approach, following standard operating procedures and issuing warnings to her family to monitor her mobile phone use and ensure her well-being at home, the officer added.

Officials emphasised the importance of rigorously following SOPs for every threat call, involving the deployment of the dog squad and bomb squad, to thoroughly inspect the area before dismissing a call as a hoax.

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In August, a 49-year-old mentally unwell man was arrested by the crime branch after making at least 79 calls to the Mumbai police and authorities across the country. Subsequent investigations revealed his mental health issues. One of his calls in August claimed that "bada boss" had stashed 100kg of explosives in Mumbai, intending to blow up the city, and alleged that the Ambani family owed him money. The accused hailed from Malwani and has a prior arrest record with the Delhi police.

Similarly, in September, a 41-year-old woman residing in Malabar Hill made 39 calls over the past two months, also revealing her struggle with mental illness. She frequently contacted the police, reporting bomb threats and requesting their assistance. However, upon visiting her residence, officers found no substantiating evidence, ultimately discovering her 15-year-long history of mental illness.

Sources indicate that this year alone, the police have dealt with over 80 hoax calls, leading to the arrest of 23 individuals.