A day after a hoax message threatened RDX explosions at the Gaya civil court, a palpable sense of unease lingered on Friday, leading to a significantly reduced presence of lawyers and litigants. While the threat was confirmed to be a prank, normalcy was slow to return as apprehensions continued to affect daily proceedings.
Security Heightened, Confidence Shaken
Vigilance was visibly increased around the court premises and other parts of the town in response to the threat. Gaya Bar Association president Syed Sharfuddin acknowledged the prompt and effective response from security agencies. However, he confirmed that full confidence among visitors had not been restored, impacting the court's functioning.
Speaking about the day's proceedings, Sharfuddin noted that while most judicial officers held court, several cases saw adjournments as clients sought delays on various pretexts. He also pointed out that the absence of some officers currently on training contributed to the atypical situation.
Calls for a Discreet Response Protocol
The incident sparked a debate on the appropriate response to such threats. Senior lawyer Ashok Kumar argued that the panic was partly avoidable. He emphasized that such threats are invariably fake and designed solely to create confusion. "Real saboteurs do not issue advance warnings," Kumar stated, stressing the need for a more nuanced and discreet response protocol to avoid unnecessary fear and public inconvenience.
He called for a revisit of the standard operating procedures, highlighting the need for a balance between effective security and discretion to prevent mischief-makers from succeeding in their game plan.
Cyber Challenge for Bihar Police
The hoax also brought to the fore the challenges law enforcement faces in the digital age. Former DGP Abhyanand stated that the Bihar Police is currently not adequately equipped to deal with emerging cyber threats. With existing techniques, it is very difficult to identify the source of such mischief, he explained.
Abhyanand suggested that the police should seek support from agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to share expertise and train personnel in handling cyber offences more effectively.
On the ongoing investigation, city SP Ramand Kumar Kaushal said it was progressing in the right direction but declined to share specific details, stating it would not be prudent at this stage. The authorities continue their efforts to trace the origin of the threatening message.
