MUMBAI (Thursday, March 12, 2026) — A wave of panic swept through the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan early Thursday morning after a threatening email was received during the ongoing Budget Session. The threat, which specifically mentioned attacks using “bombs and missiles,” triggered a massive security sweep across South Mumbai but was later declared a hoax by the police.
Timeline of the Security Scare
The threat arrived just as legislators and officials were preparing for the day’s discussions on the state budget.
- 6:57 AM: An anonymous email was sent to the official office account of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Maharashtra Legislature.
- 9:00 AM: Security agencies began a full-scale evacuation of the complex. Legislators arriving for the session found the gates closed and a heavy police presence.
- 10:00 AM: The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and Dog Squads conducted a “deep sweep” of every cabin and corner of the Vidhan Bhavan.
- 11:30 AM: After a thorough search, nothing suspicious was found. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan termed the threat a hoax, and employees were allowed back into the building.
Multiple High-Profile Targets
According to Ram Shinde, Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, the threat was not limited to the Vidhan Bhavan. The email identified four critical landmarks in Mumbai:
- Vidhan Bhavan (State Legislature)
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
- Bombay High Court
- Mumbai Metro Network
Investigation into Origin
The Cyber Police are currently working to trace the origin of the email. Preliminary reports and police sources suggest a potential link to Khalistani protesters, as the sender used aggressive language regarding missiles and bombs to target high-profile locations.
| Security Measure | Status |
| Evacuation | Completed (Employees safely escorted out by 9:30 AM) |
| Search Operation | Concluded (Premises declared safe) |
| Cyber Investigation | Ongoing (Tracing anonymous email origin) |
| Legislative Proceedings | Resumed (Houses continued as scheduled after security clearance) |
Context: A Sensitive Time
The threat occurred at a particularly sensitive juncture for the state and the city:
- Budget Session: High-profile VIPs, including the Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers, were present on the premises.
- Global Tensions: Security was already on high alert due to volatile international tensions involving Iran and Israel, which have impacted global shipping and oil prices recently.
- Previous Incidents: This follows a similar hoax on March 8, where a Mumbai hospital received a threat claiming an “LED blast” would occur.
Sources
- Ten News: “Bomb threat issued to Vidhan Bhavan, BSE, HC, Mumbai Metro” (March 12, 2026)
- The Hindu: “Bomb threats to Maharashtra legislature, four other places” (March 12, 2026)
- Hindustan Times: “Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai gets bomb threat, emptied ahead of session” (March 12, 2026)
- Indian Express: “Bomb threat triggers security scare at Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan during Budget session” (March 12, 2026)
- ANI / PTI Live Updates: “Mumbai Vidhan Bhavan receives bomb threat via email” (March 12, 2026)
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