A man accused of sending a death threat to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav has been arrested in Mumbai following a technical investigation by the Bhopal Crime Branch, police said. The accused, a resident of Burhanpur district, allegedly sent the threatening message using a stolen mobile phone.

The accused, according to officials, is being brought to Bhopal, where police are questioning him to establish the motive behind the threat and determine whether anyone else was involved.

Threatening message sent on September 23

According to reports, the threatening message was sent at around 11.30 am on September 23 to the WhatsApp number of Dial-112 at the Radio Headquarters in Bhadbhada area of Bhopal.

The message reportedly contained a death threat against CM Dr Mohan Yadav along with objectionable remarks. Personnel stationed at the Dial-112 control centre immediately informed senior officers after receiving the message.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, officials at the Radio Headquarters submitted a complaint to the Bhopal Police, following which the Crime Branch began investigating the case.

Accused edited and deleted message

Investigators found that the sender had subsequently edited the WhatsApp message twice before deleting it. However, police personnel had already taken screenshots of the message, preserving crucial evidence for the investigation.

Following the complaint, the Crime Branch registered a case and began a technical analysis of the mobile number used to send the threat. The investigation eventually led officers to Mumbai, where the mobile number was traced.

Stolen phone led police to accused

Police subsequently learnt that the accused had allegedly stolen a mobile phone belonging to a catering operator in Mumbai. He reportedly inserted his SIM card into the stolen handset and then used it to send the threatening messages.

The move allegedly proved to be a crucial breakthrough for investigators. Once the SIM was activated in the stolen phone, the technical trail helped police trace the accused's location.

A Bhopal Crime Branch team travelled to Mumbai and arrested him on Friday.

Police probe possible previous threats

The accused, who is reportedly from Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, is now being brought to Bhopal. Police have taken him on remand and are questioning him about the circumstances surrounding the threat.

Investigators are also examining his background and previous activities. According to police information, the accused had allegedly been involved in a similar incident earlier and had also reportedly issued a threat to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The investigation will focus on establishing the exact motive behind the latest message, the circumstances in which the stolen phone was obtained and whether the accused acted alone.

The action was initiated following the complaint submitted by Dial-112 officials, with the Crime Branch relying on technical evidence to track down the alleged sender in Mumbai.