Students Behind Bomb Threats to Schools in Delhi: A Tale of Academic Evasion

In a surprising turn of events, Delhi Police revealed that the recent bomb threats which caused widespread panic across three schools in the capital were concocted by none other than the students themselves. The alarming incidents, initially treated as high-security threats, were ultimately traced back to desperate attempts to escape examinations.

The police investigation, spearheaded by the special cell, identified two siblings as the culprits behind one of the threats. During counselling, the students admitted they had devised the plan after drawing inspiration from similar incidents reported in the past. According to officials, their motive was simple but troubling—they were unprepared for their exams and sought a dramatic way out. Following the confession, their parents were warned, and the students were released with a stern reprimand.

The trend didn’t stop there. Similar bomb threats were sent to two more schools in Rohini and Paschim Vihar. Investigators discovered that the emails were once again authored by students who confessed to the same motive—avoiding exams due to a lack of preparation. These students also underwent counselling and were released, raising questions about the adequacy of such measures in deterring similar actions.

The incidents are part of a broader pattern of bomb hoaxes that have plagued Delhi in recent months. Schools, hospitals, airports, and airlines have all been targeted, with alarming emails often containing detailed threats. In some cases, the messages demanded hefty ransoms, such as $100,000, while others included chilling references to “bomb vests” or specified timelines for detonation.

Last week alone, Delhi saw a surge in such threats, with 44 schools targeted on December 9, followed by 30 more on December 13 and eight on December 14. While many of these cases have been dismissed as hoaxes, the sheer volume of incidents is causing unease among authorities and the public alike.

The revelation that students are responsible for some of these threats highlights the growing pressures they face, whether academic or social. However, it also underscores the potential dangers of such actions, both in terms of public safety and the strain on emergency response systems.

As schools and law enforcement grapple with the fallout, the incidents raise critical questions about the thin line between youthful mischief and actions with criminal consequences. Whether these are isolated pranks or symptoms of deeper societal issues, the need for preventive measures and better support systems for students has never been more apparent.