Rajasthan High Court Evacuated Following Bomb Threat Targeting Chief Justice's Visit
The Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court was abruptly evacuated on Friday after authorities received a bomb threat via email, which specifically targeted the scheduled visit of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for a national conference on cyber security. The incident caused significant disruptions, with police, bomb disposal squads, and canine units swiftly mobilizing to conduct exhaustive security sweeps of the court complex.
Threat Details and Immediate Response
The threatening email, received early Friday morning, demanded the cancellation of CJI Surya Kant's evening programme and ordered the evacuation of the high court premises by noon. It claimed that RDX explosives had been planted inside the complex, prompting an immediate and coordinated security response. Despite the alarming nature of the threat, Chief Justice Surya Kant arrived in Jaipur by flight at 5 pm as planned, proceeding to inaugurate the cyber security seminar at the Rajasthan International Centre.
Court proceedings in the morning experienced delays of nearly 30 minutes due to the heightened security measures, but authorities later confirmed that no suspicious items were discovered during the search. A senior police officer involved in the operation stated, "No suspicious object was found during checking. It was a hoax." This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by judicial institutions in maintaining security amidst such threats.
Pattern of Hoax Threats and Investigation Efforts
Police officials revealed that this bomb threat marks the 10th such hoax received since October 31 of last year, all of which have been found to be false alarms. Previous threats to the Jaipur bench were reported on multiple dates, including October 31, December 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11 last year, as well as February 6, 17, and 19. Additionally, a couple of similar threats were also received at the high court's principal seat in Jodhpur, indicating a recurring pattern of disruption.
Investigators are actively working to trace the sender of the bomb threat emails, but the task is complicated by the use of VPN services that obscure the sender's IP address. An officer explained, "We are taking proper legal procedures and seeking data from service providers to identify the culprit." The persistence of these hoaxes highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and legal frameworks to address such malicious activities effectively.
Broader Implications and Security Concerns
The targeted nature of this threat, specifically mentioning CJI Surya Kant's programme, raises concerns about the safety of high-profile judicial events and the potential for such incidents to undermine public confidence in security protocols. While no explosives were found, the evacuation and subsequent delays demonstrate the significant impact of bomb threats on court operations and public safety.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and prompt response to such threats, even as they work to deter future hoaxes through technological and investigative means. This event serves as a reminder of the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting judicial institutions and ensuring the uninterrupted administration of justice.
