U.S.-based software engineer arrested in Chennai over hoax bomb threats to persons, institutions across India

The Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), arrested a U.S.-based software engineer at Chennai International Airport in connection with a series of hoax bomb threat emails sent between 2023 and 2025 to airports, educational institutions, public officials and other high-profile targets across India.

Police identified the suspect as Sarath Subramanian Shankar, a native of Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, who had been residing in Austin, Texas, where he worked for a software company.

He was intercepted by immigration authorities after arriving in Chennai on an Etihad Airways flight in the early hours of Wednesday and was subsequently taken into custody by an ATS team for interrogation.

According to the police, Sarath is suspected to have sent numerous anonymous bomb threat emails targeting commercial flights, schools, colleges including Anna University, politicians, senior police officers and other prominent public personalities.

The threats triggered extensive security checks across Tamil Nadu, with Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) personnel deployed at airports, educational institutions, government offices and private establishments. However, every alert was found to be a hoax after thorough searches yielded no explosives.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly used encrypted communication platforms, virtual private networks (VPNs) and dark web infrastructure to mask his identity and route emails through overseas servers, making the investigation technically challenging.

The case took a decisive turn after the suspect allegedly responded to one of the threat emails using his personal email account, inadvertently leaving behind a digital trail. Investigators were able to identify him despite his attempts to conceal his identity through anonymising technologies.

After establishing his identity, the ATS kept him under surveillance for nearly six months. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was later issued at airports across the country, resulting in his detention when he landed in Chennai.

The ATS is continuing its investigation to ascertain whether Sarath acted independently or received assistance in carrying out the prolonged campaign of hoax bomb threat emails.