A wave of panic swept through judicial complexes across India on Thursday after a series of bomb threat emails targeted courts in several states. The threats, which authorities later declared to be hoaxes, forced mass evacuations, disrupted judicial work, and triggered coordinated multi-state security operations.
Widespread Panic and Evacuations
The threatening messages, received via email, claimed the presence of RDX-based improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and warned of potential suicide attacks. This led to immediate shutdowns and evacuations in states including Odisha, Bihar, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, effectively paralysing court proceedings for hours.
In Bhubaneswar, an email warned judges and staff to vacate the premises by 2:35 PM, prompting swift evacuation protocols. Cyber police officials revealed that this particular mail was sent under the name "Arun Kumar, LTTE" and made references to the LTTE, ISI, and Tamil Nadu constables. Preliminary investigations suggest the email may have been routed through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal its origin.
Similar scenes unfolded in Bihar, where courts in Patna, Danapur, Araria, Gaya, and Kishanganj were cleared. One of the emails chillingly claimed the presence of a "human bomb". In Kerala, district courts in Kasaragod and Manjeri were evacuated following emails that were traced back to Tamil Nadu. One such email was sent in the name of a purported "Tamil Liberation Organisation".
Security Sweeps and All-Clear Declarations
Following the evacuations, extensive security sweeps were conducted by bomb disposal squads and police teams at all the threatened locations. Searches were carried out at courts in Rajnandgaon, Durg, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh; Mohali, Moga, and Ferozepur in Punjab; the Shimla High Court in Himachal; and courts in Anantapur, Chittoor, Visakhapatnam, and Eluru in Andhra Pradesh.
No explosives were found at any of these locations, leading authorities to officially declare the threats a hoax. Normal court work gradually resumed after the all-clear was given.
Nationwide Cyber Hunt Launched
In the aftermath, cyber crime cells from multiple states have initiated a coordinated investigation to track down the individuals or groups behind the threatening emails. Officials have warned of strict legal action against those responsible for creating widespread fear and disrupting the judicial machinery.
The incident has highlighted vulnerabilities and raised serious concerns about the misuse of digital communication to orchestrate panic on a national scale. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify the source and motives behind the coordinated hoax.
