Eknath Khadse, 800 others received SMS threat

Investigations into the threat SMSes to leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly Eknath Khadse have shown that there were over 800 SMSes sent to various people from the same number.

An officer privy to the investigations, said, “It is learnt that hundreds of SMSes were sent to Thane and Ulhasnagar corporation officials and senior policemen from Thane from the same number. The contents of the SMSes were vulgar, abusive and threatening.”

He added that after the SMSes were sent to top policemen and politicians, the police immediately sought details of the numbers, and all the SMS data and its contents was then found out.

The SMS numbers were traced to Ulhasnagar.
Police said the SIM cards were procured on the name of one Vicky Makhija alias Jeetu, an Ulhasnagar-based contractor. The officer hinted that Makhija was not the sender. “As of now nothing suggests that Makhija had any clue about the SIM cards. But, he has not been given a clean chit yet,” said a police official, requesting anonymity.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is also making inquiries into the case. “A total of six SIM cards were purchased, but only two were activated. The sender had all details and numbers of top government officials,” said a police officer.

The first text message was received by BJP leader Khadse on Sunday and it stated that the sender would blow up Mumbai up within 36 hours. On Monday, the same person sent another text message threatening to kill Khadse.