Hoax Bomb Threats Trigger Panic and Evacuations at Multiple Gujarat Court Complexes
On Monday, a series of bomb threat emails once again sent shockwaves through Gujarat, causing widespread panic and leading to the evacuation of three separate court complexes. The alarming messages prompted immediate and intensive security responses from police forces across the state, though subsequent searches confirmed the threats to be hoaxes.
Dahod District Court Complex Evacuated Following Email Warning
The first incident unfolded at the Dahod district court complex, where an email warning of a possible bomb in the building triggered immediate panic among staff, lawyers, and litigants. Security personnel swiftly implemented evacuation protocols, restricting all entry and exit points while conducting a thorough, detailed search of the premises.
Dahod Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdish Bhandari stated, "We conducted a detailed search of the entire court premises but did not find anything suspicious or dangerous." He further noted that the email appeared to be similar in nature to a series of hoax threats that have been reported in Gujarat over recent days.
Court proceedings were significantly disrupted for several hours due to the extensive security checks. Normal operations resumed around noon only after authorities declared the premises completely safe and secure for all occupants.
Ahmedabad Courts Targeted with Provocative Hoax Emails
Simultaneously, in Ahmedabad, similar email warnings were received at two major judicial facilities: the Gujarat High Court located in Sola and the Ahmedabad Rural Court near Income Tax in Navrangpura. These messages sparked an immediate and heavy security response, mobilizing multiple police teams, bomb detection and disposal squads, and specialized sniffer dog units.
Security personnel promptly evacuated both premises, barring all visitors from entry. Lawyers, litigants, and administrative staff were instructed to step outside while police cordoned off the areas and intensified checks at every possible entry point. At the rural court complex in Navrangpura alone, approximately 400 people present on the premises were evacuated as a strict precautionary measure.
Police officials revealed that the threatening emails contained explicit references to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, and alleged detailed plans to carry out explosions at courts and judicial offices across different Indian states. The messages also made highly provocative claims, attempting to link the threats to revenge for the death of a man in Tamil Nadu, and even referenced the slain terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
Extensive Searches Confirm Threats as Hoaxes, No Explosives Found
Despite the alarming content and the scale of the security operation, the extensive searches conducted by police and bomb squads at all three locations ultimately confirmed that the threats were completely false. No explosives, suspicious devices, or dangerous objects were discovered at any of the court complexes.
This incident highlights a troubling pattern of hoax bomb threats targeting public institutions in Gujarat, causing unnecessary panic, disrupting essential judicial functions, and straining security resources. Authorities are continuing their investigations to trace the origin of these malicious emails and identify those responsible for orchestrating the disruptive hoaxes.
