Bangalore hoax-caller reveals intricate plot
What's the story
The hoax calls which delayed several international flights in Bangalore and Delhi in the weekend, were traced to Bangalore-based executive Gokul Machery. Gokul, on being questioned, admitted to murdering his wife, among other illegal activities like theft and fraud. Gokul's motive for the hoaxes was to defame Jose, whose wife had been his ex-girlfriend, and whom he was trying to win back since 2011.
Background I
Gokul Machery's pre and post-college life
Gokul had been in a relationship since class XII through college, till he and his girlfriend graduated from an engineering college in Thrissur. Gokul then moved to Delhi, and the girl, to Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu for higher studies. In Delhi, Gokul entered into a relationship with Ranchi native Anuradha, and married her in 2009, the same year that his ex married Saju Jose.
Background II
Gokul Machery's marriage
Gokul worked late hours and suspected Anuradha of having an extra-marital affair, and he supposedly found intimate messages on her phone. In 2011, he opened two fake email accounts under the names "Baba" and "Asha", and wrote to the devout Anuradha to coax her into confessing. Through these, he asked and received a photo of Anuradha and her lover, confirming his suspicions.
Murder
Gokul's wife found dead, allegedly by accident
Gokul moved to Bangalore in March 2015, and shifted to the same apartment complex where his ex-girlfriend lived. On 28 July 2015, Anuradha was found dead. Gokul convinced his father-in-law, a former police officer in Ranchi, that Anuradha had hit her head against the TV in an inebriated state, and had died consequently. After two days of questioning, the Bangalore police accepted Gokul's explanation.
Hoax
International flights delayed by bomb scare
On 5 September 2015 at 1.30am, six international flights in Bangalore and Delhi were threatened to be blown up, as airport managers received Whatsapp messages under the name of the Islamic State. Three of the flights were mid-air and had to be recalled for a thorough search, while the grounded ones were evacuated. Take-offs were cancelled till 6.30am, and scores of flights were delayed.
Information
Bomb scare drains exchequer
After the bomb scare both Bangalore and Delhi airports went into full emergency protocol. According to Bangalore police commissioner N.S.Megharikh, the costs for the emergency procedure in Bangalore alone amounted to Rs.6.7 crore.
Investigation
Tracking the hoax caller
The number was tracked and found to be registered in the name of Saju Jose. A police search of Jose's apartment revealed nothing, and his family were deported to the police station, driven by Gokul in Jose's car. Police found the SIM location to be moving with the car, and a phone was found under the carpet. Jose denied that it was his phone.
Arrest
Gokul arrested for bomb threats
Jose's denial subsequently shifted the suspicion to Gokul. Gokul's laptop was searched, revealing that he had run a google search on Bangalore and Delhi flight schedules. A Facebook account which was framed in the Whatsapp messages sent to the airport managers was found to have been created on Gokul's laptop. Gokul had counterfeited Jose's documents, and registered the suspected number in Jose's name.