Ludhiana Court Faces Second Hoax Bomb Threat in Six Days
For the second time in just six days, the Ludhiana District and Sessions Court found itself under a complete security lockdown on Wednesday. A threatening email sent to the official address of the District and Sessions Judge triggered the emergency response. The message warned of a suicide bomb attack targeting the judicial complex.
This latest incident closely mirrors a similar hoax threat received on January 8th. While thorough searches by security teams revealed no explosives on either occasion, the repeated disruptions have created significant unease within the legal community. The frequency of these threats has pushed the District Bar Association to take a firm stand.
Legal Community Declares Protest
In response to what they call unacceptable security volatility, the District Bar Association declared a "no-work day." Lawyers abstained from court proceedings as a form of protest. They demand more robust and reliable security measures to prevent such disruptive hoaxes from paralyzing the judicial system.
The association's decision highlights the growing frustration among legal professionals. These threats not only halt work but also create a climate of fear and uncertainty for everyone who uses the court complex daily.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities reacted swiftly to the email alert. Police deployed a heavy contingent of officers and called in specialized bomb disposal squads. The entire complex was evacuated, and personnel conducted meticulous frisking of all individuals and areas.
Additional Commissioner of Police Rupinder Singh provided details on the investigation. He confirmed that while the sender's name and email address differed from the January 8th threat, the content of the message was essentially identical.
"We suspect the same module could be behind both threats," Singh stated. "Our technical teams are currently working to trace the digital footprint of the sender."
In a significant escalation from the previous incident, the city police have now registered a formal case. The case has been filed against unidentified suspects at the Division Number 5 police station, signaling a more serious investigative approach.
A History of Violence Heightens Tensions
The panic caused by these hoax threats is not happening in a vacuum. It is amplified by a real and tragic event in the court's recent past. On December 23, 2021, the Ludhiana court complex was the scene of an actual bomb blast on its second floor.
That explosion resulted in the death of the individual planting the device and caused injuries to several others. In the aftermath of the 2021 attack, authorities implemented several enhanced security measures at the complex.
- Installation of metal detectors at all primary entrances.
- Implementation of strict frisking protocols for every visitor.
- Enhanced surveillance camera coverage throughout the judicial corridors.
Concerns Over Psychological Impact and Judicial Efficiency
Despite these physical security upgrades, the repeated hoaxes have exposed a different vulnerability. The ease with which anonymous threats can bring the city's legal machinery to a standstill raises serious concerns.
Officials and legal experts are now worried about the psychological toll on court staff, lawyers, and litigants. The constant fear and disruption also impact the efficiency of the judicial process, causing delays and backlogs.
Police officials have stated that security will remain at a heightened alert level for the rest of the week. The community now waits to see if the investigation can identify those responsible and put an end to this alarming pattern of threats.
