The crime branch of the Mumbai police initiated an investigation into the matter after the accused called the city police’s main control room on Thursday about the “terror attack”.

The 36-year-old caller introduced himself as “Mukesh Singh” from Ghaziabad. He claimed that two Pakistani nationals were about to entre Mumbai via the sea route to “blow up” Hotel Taj, which was among the targets during the 26/11 attacks.

After receiving the call, the Mumbai police crime branch’s unit 9 traced the caller to Santacruz area in Mumbai and arrested Singh. The official said that the accused aimed to create panic among the public by making a hoax call.

He was later identified as Jagdamba Prasad Singh, a resident of Golibar Road in the area.

Singh was handed over to the Santacruz police and a case has been registered against him under Indian Penal Code section 505 (1) (B), which pertains to the intention of causing fear or harm to the public.