A 30‑year‑old robotics engineer from Chennai, Rene Joshlida, has been arrested for orchestrating a disturbing bomb‑threat campaign across 11 Indian states to frame a former colleague who rejected her advances. Over several months, Joshlida created hundreds of fake email IDs, employed VPNs and dark‑web tools, and utilized 80 different phone numbers to mask her identity.

Her fraudulent communications included threats targeting schools, hospitals, and stadiums across 21 locations, causing wide alarm. In a particularly alarming move, she claimed responsibility for the Air India AI‑171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed at least 274 people, falsely seeking to amplify fear and cover her motives.

Investigators were stumped for months by her digital evasion until a single misstep—a technical slip in her use of VPNs—allowed authorities to trace the threats back to her. The motive appeared clear: jealousy and revenge over unreciprocated affection for a colleague. Police are now reviewing the threats and communications to build their case, which could include charges under anti‑terror and cyber‑crime laws.