A 24-year-old woman named Fatima Khan was detained from her residence in Ulhasnagar, Thane, for allegedly sending a death threat targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Mumbai Police Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) tracked her down after receiving a menacing message that warned Adityanath would meet a fate similar to the assassinated Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique unless he resigned from office within ten days. The ATS, in coordination with Mumbai Police, initiated the inquiry amidst heightened security concerns, particularly as CM Yogi Adityanath is expected to visit Maharashtra for an election campaign soon.
On November 2, the Mumbai Police Traffic Control Cell received a threatening call from an unknown number. The anonymous caller stated that CM Adityanath would suffer consequences similar to Baba Siddique if he failed to step down from his position. Baba Siddique, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a former Maharashtra minister, had been fatally shot outside his son’s office in Mumbai on October 12 by gunmen potentially associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, sparking public alarm over the security of high-profile figures in Maharashtra.
This message, due to its inflammatory content and reference to Adityanath—who is not only the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh but also the Mahant of the esteemed Gorakhnath Mandir—was immediately flagged as a major security concern. Authorities alerted the Maharashtra ATS, which swiftly began tracking the origin of the call.
Following preliminary investigation, the ATS traced the message’s source to a location in Ulhasnagar, Thane. A joint team from the ATS and local police organised an operation to investigate the individual tied to the threatening call. Upon reaching the residence in Ulhasnagar, the team encountered Fatima Khan, a 24-year-old with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Initial questioning at her home provided enough grounds to take her into custody for further interrogation at Worli Police Station.
Senior police officials, including Worli Police Senior Inspector Nitin Shinde, reported that Khan’s family claimed she has a history of mental health issues. Consequently, authorities are planning a comprehensive psychological evaluation to assess her mental state and understand if these alleged threats stemmed from instability or deeper motivations. For the time being, Khan has not been officially arrested but has been issued a notice following questioning.
In light of the threat, security around CM Yogi Adityanath has been intensified, especially as he is set to visit Maharashtra shortly for political campaigns. With his expected presence in Maharashtra, law enforcement agencies are on high alert, taking precautionary measures to prevent any potential threats. Additional security forces have been deployed, and protocols have been revised to ensure his safety during his public appearances.
The ATS and Mumbai Police are working together to uncover the circumstances that led to the threat. Investigators are exploring whether Khan had any accomplices, if she had previous contacts with extremist or criminal groups, and if there were any influences behind her message. The investigation also includes a digital trail examination to determine if Khan’s actions were premeditated, influenced by outside sources, or the result of a mental health crisis.
This incident has raised further concerns as it follows a series of recent death threats against other notable public figures in Maharashtra. Just days before Khan’s detention, Mumbai police apprehended Azam Mohammed Mustafa, a resident of Bandra East, for issuing a death threat to Bollywood actor Salman Khan and demanding a ransom of Rs 2 crore. Additionally, a 20-year-old man named Mohammad Tayyab was detained in Noida after making threats against both Salman Khan and Zeeshan Siddique, the son of Baba Siddique and a Bandra East MLA with the NCP.
The investigation is examining if these threats, including Khan’s, have any connection to one another, especially given their overlapping political and public interest contexts. Police sources reveal that the ATS and Mumbai Police are also coordinating with Uttar Pradesh’s law enforcement agencies and other intelligence units to understand any broader implications or coordinated motives.
Officials within the Mumbai Police have reassured the public that all necessary measures are in place to handle potential security breaches. Senior police officials have stated that the safety of prominent individuals remains a top priority and that investigations into the threats will continue unabated until all angles have been explored.
