Security has been significantly tightened across multiple district courts in Odisha following a series of anonymous bomb threats received via email on Thursday. The courts in Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Deogarh were targeted, prompting immediate evacuations and large-scale search operations by security forces.
Immediate Response and Evacuation
Upon receiving the threatening emails earlier in the day, court authorities swiftly alerted the police. The situation prompted an immediate evacuation of the court premises as a standard precautionary measure. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were rapidly deployed to conduct thorough sweeps of the buildings and surrounding areas. Police officials confirmed that all established security protocols were strictly followed during the operation.
Odisha's Director General of Police, Y B Khurania, stated that police have taken serious cognizance of the threats and initiated a comprehensive investigation. "As a precautionary measure, police checking and enhanced security arrangements have been put in place at all concerned locations," said DGP Khurania. He assured the public that the situation is under close monitoring and advised citizens not to panic, urging cooperation with police personnel.
Investigation Focuses on Email Source
Preliminary investigations have revealed a "similar pattern" in all three threatening emails received by the separate district courts. Police sources indicated that the probe is currently centered on tracing the origin and source of these electronic communications. "We have got some information, and more details are awaited," the DGP added, without divulging further specifics to avoid compromising the investigation.
The state government has directed senior police officers to personally visit the court premises to assess the situation and ensure a vigilant watch is maintained. So far, no suspicious objects or explosives have been found in any of the locations after the intensive searches.
Chief Minister's Directive and Wider Context
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting and issued clear instructions to the police chief. He directed DGP Khurania to identify the individuals responsible for the threats and uncover their motives. An official statement from the Chief Minister's office emphasized that there should be no complacency in matters concerning public safety and instructed the police to treat the issue with the utmost seriousness.
This incident in Odisha follows a similar pattern of threats received by courts in Gujarat earlier this week. On Tuesday, the Gujarat High Court and several other district courts and collectorates across five districts received bomb threats, though those alerts also turned out to be hoaxes after extensive checks. The repeated nature of such threats has raised concerns about the need for reinforced cybersecurity and physical security protocols for judicial infrastructure across states.
