Ganesh Visarjan Panic in Mumbai After Human Bomb Hoax

Mumbai never sleeps, but on September 4, 2025, it almost held its breath. As Mumbai prepared for the grand Ganesh Visarjan, with lakhs of people ready to fill the streets, a sudden WhatsApp message arrived—turning celebration into fear.

The text, sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police helpline, claimed that 34 vehicles had been fitted with “human bombs” carrying 400 kg of RDX, and that 14 Pakistani terrorists had already infiltrated the city. It warned that one crore people could die.

For a city that has lived through the horrors of 1993 serial blasts, the 2006 train bombings, and the 26/11 attacks, the threat was more than just words on a screen. It was a chilling reminder of its deepest scars.

The Threat That Shook Mumbai

The message was signed by a group calling itself “Lashkar-e-Jihadi.” It spoke in the language of terror: bombs hidden in cars, suicide missions, foreign operatives, and unimaginable destruction.

Police officials later admitted that in those first hours, no one could take the risk of dismissing it as a prank. As Ganesh idols were readied for immersion, Mumbai Police, ATS, and the Crime Branch swung into action.

Checkpoints mushroomed across the city, nakabandis tightened, and sensitive zones like railway stations, airports, and temples came under heavy surveillance. “Every threat is real until proven false,” said one officer.

Behind the Mask: The Arrest in Noida

Within 24 hours, the investigation bore fruit. The digital trail led detectives over 1,400 kilometers away to Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

There, they arrested Ashwin Kumar Supra, a 50-year-old astrologer and Vastu consultant originally from Patna. Police seized his phone, multiple SIM cards, SIM holders, and digital storage devices.

But what shocked investigators wasn’t just how he sent the message—it was why.

Supra, according to the police, had no ties to terror groups. Instead, the man had a personal grudge. He wanted to frame his former friend, Firoz, who had earlier filed a case against him that led to Supra spending three months in jail. The bomb scare, police say, was nothing but a revenge plot disguised as terror.

Who Is Ashwin Kumar Supra?

• Age/Profession: Around 50, an astrologer and Vastu consultant.
• Residence: Sector 79, Noida.
• Personal Life: Estranged from his wife, reportedly living alone.
• Past Cases: In 2023, jailed for three months after a case filed by Firoz.
• Current Charges: Booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation.

Police sources described him as “calculative and vengeful,” someone who thought he could weaponize public fear to settle a private score.

Mumbai’s Festival Under Guard

Even after Supra’s arrest, authorities didn’t lower their guard. On September 6, the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the city turned into a fortress.

• Over 21,000 police personnel were deployed.
• Drones and CCTV surveillance tracked major processions.
• Bomb squads and sniffer dogs combed through immersion routes.
• AI-assisted monitoring kept watch on crowds.

Despite the lingering fear, lakhs of devotees thronged the streets, dancing and chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” The festival concluded peacefully—a triumph of faith over fear.

Why the Hoax Still Hurts

While the threat was fake, its consequences were painfully real.

1. Public Panic: For hours, citizens feared a repeat of the city’s worst nightmares.
2. Strain on Security Forces: Thousands of officers were pulled into emergency deployment.
3. Damage to Trust: Abuse of official helplines weakens their credibility.
4. Exposed Vulnerabilities: A single WhatsApp message was enough to paralyze a metropolis.

A senior officer summed it up: “This time it was a hoax. Next time, it may not be. We cannot afford to ignore even one.”

Conclusion: The Thin Line Between Faith and Fear

Mumbai’s Ganesh Visarjan has always been about unity, joy, and resilience. But this year, it came dangerously close to being remembered for terror.

The hoax reminded the city of its fragile peace. It showed how personal vendettas can hijack public safety, and how technology, in the wrong hands, can spread fear faster than fire.

Yet, in the end, Mumbai’s spirit stood tall. Idols were immersed, chants echoed across the sea, and people chose devotion over dread.

The message is clear: Mumbai will not bow to fear—even when terror comes dressed as a lie.

Sources

• Indiatimes
• Times of India
• Economic Times
• New Indian Express
• India Today
• Hindustan Times
• Livemint
• Business Standard