Incident Overview
On July 13, 2025, Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM President Hemant Soren revealed that his party’s official X (formerly Twitter) account (@JMMJharkhand) was compromised by “anti‑social elements.” The hackers posted a cryptic link and a rodent image at 12:12 am, before the breach was quickly flagged and the account secured 1.
CM’s Immediate Response
From Delhi, where he had travelled concerning his father Shibu Soren’s health, Hemant Soren urged the Jharkhand Police and X Corp India to treat the hacking as a serious incident and initiate prompt investigations 2. He emphasized the need to identify perpetrators and assess any misuse of the account.
Cyber Threats Targeting Public Figures
This incident forms part of a larger pattern affecting politicians, bureaucrats, and state agencies in Jharkhand. Previous attacks include compromised social media profiles of Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey and several district commissioners, who faced imitation and fraud attempts 3. The fraudulent schemes often involve phishing, OTP theft, and identity manipulation.
Scheme & Security Concerns
Cybersecurity expert Vineet Kumar, founder of CyberPeace Foundation, warns that many such attacks are state‑sponsored, intended for espionage or financial gain. He highlighted cases where Indians were trafficked to scam call‑centres in Southeast Asia. Notably, on July 5, Jharkhand CID arrested a Chinese cybercrime ring targeting Indian bank accounts 4.
Authorities’ Ongoing Action
The Jharkhand Police cybercrime unit has secured the JMM account and is conducting a forensic audit. Their focus includes tracing the breach path, verifying if sensitive data or misinformation was disseminated, and implementing measures to prevent recurrence 5.
Timeline of Key Events
- July 13, 2025 (00:12 am): Unauthorized cryptocurrency link and rodent image posted.
- Same moment: Chief Minister alerts authorities and X Corp.
- July 5, 2025: Jharkhand CID busts Chinese cybercrime group.
- Ongoing: Cybercrime forensic analysis and legal action underway.
Trivia & Quiz Nuggets
- Forex‑style hacks often use rodents as symbols in phishing attempts.
- X (formerly Twitter) accounts are increasingly targeted for crypto‑link fraud.
- Jharkhand CID recently dismantled a China‑linked OTP‑theft network.
- CyberPeace Foundation says scammers traffic Indians to Southeast Asian scam hubs.
Conclusion
The breach of JMM’s official X handle emphasizes the growing cyber‑risk for public institutions. With forensic audits, coordination with X Corp, and proactive action from Jharkhand authorities, the case marks a push toward stronger cybersecurity measures in Indian politics and governance.
Source: The Times Of India