Bengaluru's diplomatic circles were on high alert today, after the Japanese and Dutch consulates received chilling bomb threats via email. This marks the second time in less than two weeks that foreign missions in the city have been targeted by such hoaxes, sparking a major security sweep and a political firestorm due to the bizarre claims made in the messages.
The Morning Scare: 8:40 AM Alert
The threat was discovered at approximately 8:40 AM when staff at the Japanese Consulate (located at the Prestige Nebula building on Cubbon Road) checked their official inbox. A similar email was also sent to the Dutch Consulate in Ganganagar (RT Nagar).
Immediate protocols were activated, and the Bengaluru Police, along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and sniffer dogs, rushed to the locations. After a three-hour exhaustive search of the premises, including restrooms and utility areas, officials confirmed that no explosives were found and declared the threat a hoax.
Bizarre Allegations: The Udhayanidhi Stalin Connection
What sets this threat apart from previous ones is the specific and sensational content of the email. According to police sources, the sender invoked the name of Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The Email Claims
- Assault Allegation: The sender claimed that Udhayanidhi Stalin had assaulted a woman in Room 536 of the Coromandel Hotel.
- The "Conspiracy": The mail alleged that the woman was brought to the hotel by an individual named Arjun Dore Rajshekhar under the guise of meeting a VIP.
- The Ultimatum: The sender stated that because the Tamil Nadu Police refused to register an FIR against Stalin, they had planted four RDX/IED bombs in the toilets of the Japanese Consulate as a "retaliatory act."
- Police have noted that these claims appear to be a deliberate attempt to defame political figures or create a diplomatic incident by dragging high-profile names into the mix.
A Repeating Pattern of Hoaxes
This incident is part of a worrying trend of "cyber-terrorism" targeting Bengaluru’s consulates:
- January 29, 2026: Both the Italian and Japanese consulates received identical emails from a suspicious ID ([email protected]) warning of RDX blasts.
- October 2025: The Israeli Consulate was targeted by a similar hoax.
Police Investigation Status
The CEN (Cyber, Economic Offences, and Narcotics) Police have been tasked with tracing the IP addresses of these emails. Preliminary findings suggest the use of encrypted VPNs and temporary email servers to mask the sender's location.
Official Statement: "We have registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation and public mischief. While the threats are hoaxes, the intent to cause panic and diplomatic tension is being taken very seriously," a senior police official stated.
Security Update for Residents
While there is no immediate danger to the public, security has been permanently beefed up around the Richmond Road, Cubbon Road, and RT Nagar diplomatic zones. Commuters may experience minor delays due to increased frisking and vehicle checks near these high-security installations.
