SUV bomb threat case: Tihar jail authorities seize mobile phone from terror convicts' cell

The SUV car. File Pic

Based on the information given by the Delhi Police Special Cell, Tihar Jail authorities have seized a mobile phone from the cell where terror convicts are lodged.

In an official statement, the special cell stated, it's suspected that the phone was used to operate Telegram channels used recently for claiming responsibility for terror acts/threat.

A Telegram channel through which an organisation named Jaish-ul-Hind had claimed responsibility for placing an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai was "created in the Tihar" area of Delhi, a senior Mumbai police official had said on Thursday.

Also Read: SUV bomb scare case: Threatening letter posted on telegram channel created near or in Tihar Jail

As the new angle emerged, the Delhi Police's Special Cell approached the Tihar Jail administration and is likely to question some suspects, official sources said.

Mumbai Police took the help of a private cyber agency to track the location of the phone on which the Telegram channel was created, the official said.

During the investigation, the location of the phone was traced near Delhi's Tihar Jail, he added.

Further investigation and forensic analysis will be done after the mobile handset and details of the seizure are received from Tihar Jail authorities, said the Delhi Police Special Cell.

A Mahindra Scorpio car with gelatin sticks was found parked near "Antilia", the multi-storey residence of Ambani, in south Mumbai on February 25.

According to police sources, the Telegram channel was created on February 26 and the message claiming responsibility for placing the vehicle outside Ambani's residence was posted on the Telegram messaging app late in the night on February 27.

The message had also demanded payment in cryptocurrency and mentioned a link to deposit the same.

The private cyber investigation firm hired by Mumbai police stated, "As per investigation and analysis through various exploits and tools, it was found that the group was operating through Tor Proxy. Upon further exploitation of the phone, it was found that virtual number apps along with other anonymous communication apps were been used by the target identity, upon access and analysis of IP address fetched on 26th February at 15:28 hours and at 1951 hours, it appeared that he was using Airtel SIM card to run the internet on the device on which the telegram channel @jaishulhind was being used. After tracking the location of the number it is suspected that the number is used near/inside Tihar Jail." (SIC)

On February 28, another message from Jaish-ul-Hind surfaced on a social media platform, claiming that the organisation did not have any role in the incident.

The investigation in the case was initially conducted by the Crime Branch of the Mumbai police.

After the mysterious death of Thane-based auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV that was later found parked outside Ambani's residence, the probe was transferred to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

On Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case related to the recovery of the explosives-laden vehicle.

(With inputs from agency)