Leela hotels get email threat, sender demands Rs 42L ransom

MUMBAI: The Leela group of hotels has received a threatening email saying that explosive devices have been planted in all its hotels across the country, and may go off if a ransom of Rs 42 lakh is not paid. The email has been traced to Kenya and the UAE. However, a detailed search of the hotel by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad did not recover any explosive devices.

The email was sent from the ID payingtime@gmail-. com. Investigators got details of the internet protocol address from which the mail was sent from Google on Saturday.

The management of the city Leela informed Sahar police station about the receipt of the email.

Deputy commissioner of police Nisar Tamboli (zone-VIII ), told TOI, ������ We were informed on January 9 about the email. The police traced the IP address to Kenya. The email sender threatened that explosive devices were installed in the hotel. A team from the bomb squad visited the hotel and did a thorough check but nothing was found.������