A chilling bomb threat sent via email plunged the Chandigarh District Court into chaos and high alert on Monday afternoon, forcing the immediate evacuation of hundreds before it was declared a hoax following an exhaustive search operation.
Panic and Precautionary Evacuation
The court administration received a threatening email in the afternoon, which reportedly warned of an explosion targeting the court complex. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the administration alerted the police control room, setting off a major security response.
Within minutes, teams from the Sector-36 police station, the bomb disposal squad, and a dog squad rushed to the spot. As a critical precaution, lawyers, court staff, and all members of the public present inside the court complex were evacuated immediately. The entire area was sealed off and transformed into a high-security zone to contain any potential threat.
Intensive Search Operation Yields No Results
A meticulous and thorough search was launched across the sprawling district court premises. Security personnel left no stone unturned, examining all courtrooms of judges, record rooms, the canteen, and parking areas.
The bomb squad combed the complex using specialised equipment to scan for suspicious objects, while the dog squad conducted an extensive sniffing operation across the premises. Despite nearly two hours of intensive checking, no suspicious object, explosive material, or any concrete clue linked to the emailed threat was found. Consequently, the court complex was declared safe by evening, though police deployment was maintained for some time as an added precaution.
Recurring Threat and Ongoing Cyber Investigation
This incident marks the second such scare in a short span. A similar threat was received just a few days prior, where the sender had claimed an explosion would be carried out using a drone. That threat also turned out to be a hoax after a comprehensive search by security agencies.
A police official stated that the police are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. The cyber cell has now initiated a detailed investigation into the origin of the email, aiming to trace the identity and location of the sender. Police officials confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the accused at the earliest and that security arrangements at the district court will be further strengthened to prevent any untoward incident in the future.
