A shocking claim, a swift arrest, and a nationwide investigation came together after a woman openly declared responsibility for one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies. The woman sent emails claiming she caused the Air India plane crash, triggering panic across several states. Authorities acted quickly, traced the digital trail, and arrested her. The investigation revealed her true motive was personal revenge, not terror. These three key points — claim, arrest, motive — define this bizarre and high-profile case.
Before we dive into the details, let us set the scene. On June 26, 2025, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, police confirmed the arrest of a Chennai-based woman who had sent hoax emails claiming responsibility for Air India Flight AI 171 crash while simultaneously issuing bomb threats across multiple states. The arrest ended days of confusion and fear, providing clarity to authorities and the public alike. Read more at Odisha TV
The Air India Crash That Shocked the Nation
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, bound for London. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed near the airport. The disaster killed most passengers and crew, while several people on the ground were also affected.
The tragedy sparked nationwide mourning. The government ordered a full investigation. International aviation bodies also monitored the situation due to the scale and impact. In this context, any claim of responsibility immediately drew national attention.
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Emergence of the Hoax Claim
Weeks after the crash, alarming emails reached institutions in Ahmedabad and beyond. One message, sent to BJ Medical College, declared: “We crashed that plane and everyone is dead. Now you know we’re not joking.” Police treated it as a potential terror threat. Evacuations were conducted. Bomb squads were deployed. Panic spread rapidly, demonstrating the power of digital fear.
Similar emails appeared in other states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Schools, hospitals, and stadiums were threatened. At first, authorities feared a coordinated terror campaign. The emails appeared sophisticated and organized, heightening the perceived threat. Read more at Times of India
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Who Is Rene Joshilda?
Investigators traced the emails to Rene Joshilda, a 30-year-old robotics engineer and IT consultant based in Chennai. She had previously worked at major technology firms and possessed technical expertise in digital security and automation. Read more at Bombay Samachar
Police revealed that Joshilda used advanced techniques to obscure her identity. These included:
- VPN networks to mask IP addresses
- Multiple fake email accounts
- Virtual phone numbers and disposable SIM cards
Despite these precautions, minor mistakes in her digital footprint allowed cybercrime experts to track her to Chennai. Her sophisticated approach initially delayed detection, showcasing the challenges law enforcement faces in modern cybercrime.
Investigators Connect the Digital Trail
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch coordinated with cyber units in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other states. Email headers, metadata, and timestamp patterns were analyzed carefully. Analysts noticed similarities in structure, phrasing, and technical routing. These patterns indicated a single origin.
Authorities collected evidence from multiple devices and email accounts. Cross-checking revealed that the threats were indeed coming from Joshilda. This digital proof allowed police to secure an arrest warrant. Read more at Bombay Samachar
The Arrest of Rene Joshilda
On June 23, 2025, Chennai police detained Joshilda. Officers described the arrest as a significant achievement for cybercrime enforcement. She was charged under multiple FIRs for sending false threat emails, criminal intimidation, and cyber-stalking. The arrest ended nationwide anxiety over the alleged claim of responsibility for the Air India crash.
Following the arrest, authorities confirmed that the emails were entirely a hoax. The plane crash itself was unrelated to Joshilda’s actions. This distinction was critical for public understanding and for ongoing aviation investigations. Read more at OpIndia
Motive Behind the False Claim
Investigators uncovered a personal motive. Joshilda reportedly had a one-sided romantic attachment to a former colleague, Divij Prabhakar. When he rejected her and married someone else, she allegedly attempted to frame him. Her email accounts and threat messages were designed to mislead authorities and implicate him.
This personal vendetta triggered a nationwide hoax with severe consequences. Schools, hospitals, and government offices were temporarily paralyzed. Authorities emphasized that emotional motives combined with technical expertise can create serious public safety risks. Read more at Moneycontrol
Legal Proceedings and Court Cases
Joshilda faced multiple charges in different jurisdictions. These include:
- Cybercrime offenses
- Criminal intimidation
- False claims of responsibility for a national tragedy
She filed petitions with the Supreme Court of India to consolidate FIRs. The Court issued notices but allowed the investigations to continue. As of January 2026, she remains in custody pending further judicial proceedings. Read more at Ahmedabad Mirror
Impact on Public Safety
The hoax emails caused widespread fear. Schools canceled classes, hospitals increased security measures, and public events were temporarily restricted. Authorities dispatched rapid response teams, bomb squads, and evacuation protocols.
While the claim had no connection to the actual crash, it disrupted routine life across multiple states. Experts noted that such hoaxes can weaken public trust in emergency response systems and force agencies to allocate resources to false alarms. Read more at NewsBytes
Clarifying the Truth About the Air India Crash
The investigation into Flight AI 171 continues independently. Authorities confirmed that Joshilda had no involvement in the plane crash itself. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is still analyzing flight data, black boxes, and maintenance records to determine the actual cause.
Her arrest, while significant for cybercrime and public safety, does not provide answers regarding the crash. This distinction is essential for clear reporting and public understanding. Read more at Bombay Samachar
Lessons Learned From the Case
This case highlights several key lessons:
- Modern cybercrime can exploit emotional motives to create large-scale panic.
- Even false claims can have real consequences on public safety.
- Rapid multi-state cooperation between police, cyber units, and investigators is essential to manage threats.
It also demonstrates that careful forensic analysis, digital tracking, and coordinated investigation are critical to separate fact from fiction in high-profile national incidents.
Conclusion
The arrest of the woman who claimed responsibility for the Air India crash ultimately clarified a national scare. While her emails created fear and required substantial emergency response, the investigation proved that the plane crash was unrelated to her actions. The case serves as a modern cautionary tale about emotional motives, cyber sophistication, and the importance of evidence-based conclusions. It reinforces the value of timely investigation, cross-state coordination, and professional communication during national tragedies.
Authorities continue to monitor cybercrime threats while the official Air India crash investigation proceeds independently.
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