The "Are you a Bomber" WhatsApp message that triggered alert at MIA

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 15, 2022: Sunday’s incident at the Mangaluru International Airport wherein a Mangaluru-Mumbai flight was delayed by three hours after a passenger raised an alarm about a suspicious text message received on the mobile phone of a fellow traveller from his female friend, has aroused a lot of curiosity as well as confusion.

The police have now registered a case against Deepayan Maji (23) and Simran Tom(23) under IPC Section 505, 1B and C. Both are being subject to interrogation.

The young pair hailing from Gaziabad in Uttar Pradesh had been to Manipal. It is learnt, Deepayan who had studied in Manipal had brought his so called friend Simran to show her Manipal.

The two had  spent time in Manipal and surrounding areas for a few days. On Sunday morning, Simran was to catch a flight to Chennai from Bengaluru while Deepayan had to travel to Vadodara  from Mumbai. Both were at the Mangaluru International Airport.

Just as the  flight which Deepayan had boarded was ready for take-off, he received a message from Simran who was in the boarding saying "You are going with so many Muslims, are you a bomber,"

A fellow passenger who saw the message raised an alarm and informed the airport authorities and immediately isolated the flight that was supposed to take off to Mumbai and all passengers were checked. It later left after a three hour delay.

IndiGo Manager has lodged a complaint with a mention of the message. Now both the young man and woman are being interrogated.

Reacting to the case, City Police Commissioner Shashi Kumar said the WhatsApp message exchange between the two has tried to project a community in bad light. The officials have been instructed to initiate suitable action, he added.