A 19-year-old student from Pune, identified as Subham Warkad, has been apprehended by the Mumbai Crime Branch on February 23 for allegedly making threats against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his son, MP Shrikant Shinde, on the social networking platform X. Warkad, a Nanded native pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree in Pune, is now under investigation to determine the motive behind the threats.
The incident unfolded when a person named Abhay posted on X on February 11, expressing a desire for a photo with Eknath Shinde and contemplating hooliganism. Warkad, using his account, responded to Abhay’s post, stating, “Bandook Me Anoon Deto bhau Tula Pan Pahila Game Eknath ani Shrikant Yanchach Karawa lagel” (I will bring the gun brother, but you will have to first kill Eknath and Shrikant).
Upon discovering the threatening post, Mumbai police swiftly forwarded the information to the cyber police to trace those openly discussing harm to the Chief Minister and his son. The Mumbai crime branch, along with the anti-terrorism unit, traced the accused’s IP address, linked to his Gmail ID, mobile number, and location. A team from the crime intelligence unit then apprehended Warkad in Pune.
During interrogation, Warkad admitted to posting the threatening message on X. On February 23, he was taken to Santacruz Police Station and booked under sections 505 (statements conducting public mischief) and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The case has been handed over to Crime Branch Unit 9 for further investigation, and Warkad is scheduled to appear in court on February 24, as confirmed by a senior official.
