Man threatening bomb attack on Puri temple is a habitual offender
Bhubaneswar: A man, who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly posting social media threats of a bomb attack on the Puri Jagannath temple, was identified as a habitual offender with a long criminal history. Police said the accused, Pratik Mishra (30), was previously booked in multiple cases ranging from sextortion and cyber defamation to cheating, molestation and sexual assault.
Singhadwar police took Mishra into custody following a complaint lodged by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The complaint referred to alarming posts on social media warning of a possible bomb attack on the 12th century shrine. The posts also mentioned threats against BJD Rajya Sabha member Subhasish Khuntia and a shopping complex in Puri.
Investigating officers traced the posts to a woman’s account, but later discovered that Mishra created a fake profile using her identity after she rejected his love proposal.
Police said Mishra’s antecedents revealed a disturbing pattern of criminal activity. He was booked in nine cases over the past decade: Two at Puri town police station in 2016, three at Balanga police station (Puri district) in 2019, one each at Kendrapada Sadar police station in 2021 and 2022, and two at Patkura police station (Kendrapada district) in 2025.
“He is a habitual offender charged with attempt to murder, theft, molestation, sexual assault, cheating, forgery, extortion and cyber crimes. In the latest case, his motive was revenge. He was aggrieved after the woman turned down his proposal,” said SP (Puri) Prateek Singh.
Police sources added that Mishra was arrested on April 13, 2025, by Patkura police in Kendrapada district on charges of extortion and abetment to suicide. The case involved a man who died by hanging after a false rape case was registered against him. It was a conspiracy by Mishra and 2 others. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh in extortion from him to withdraw the fabricated case.
Investigators also found that Mishra allegedly defamed 2 teachers in Balanga area of Puri district in Sept 2019 by morphing their photographs with a former BJD minister.
Singhadwar police took Mishra into custody following a complaint lodged by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The complaint referred to alarming posts on social media warning of a possible bomb attack on the 12th century shrine. The posts also mentioned threats against BJD Rajya Sabha member Subhasish Khuntia and a shopping complex in Puri.
Investigating officers traced the posts to a woman’s account, but later discovered that Mishra created a fake profile using her identity after she rejected his love proposal.
Police said Mishra’s antecedents revealed a disturbing pattern of criminal activity. He was booked in nine cases over the past decade: Two at Puri town police station in 2016, three at Balanga police station (Puri district) in 2019, one each at Kendrapada Sadar police station in 2021 and 2022, and two at Patkura police station (Kendrapada district) in 2025.
“He is a habitual offender charged with attempt to murder, theft, molestation, sexual assault, cheating, forgery, extortion and cyber crimes. In the latest case, his motive was revenge. He was aggrieved after the woman turned down his proposal,” said SP (Puri) Prateek Singh.
Police sources added that Mishra was arrested on April 13, 2025, by Patkura police in Kendrapada district on charges of extortion and abetment to suicide. The case involved a man who died by hanging after a false rape case was registered against him. It was a conspiracy by Mishra and 2 others. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh in extortion from him to withdraw the fabricated case.
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