Bomb Threat Hoax Sparks Panic and Heavy Security Response at Gujarat Courts
On Monday, Ahmedabad was gripped by panic as emails warning of bomb blasts at the Gujarat high court in Sola and the Ahmedabad rural court near Income Tax in Navrangpura prompted a massive security mobilization. Police teams, including bomb detection and disposal squads and sniffer dog units, swiftly launched extensive searches across both premises. The threat emails, sent to authorities, claimed that explosives had been planted at the courts, leading to immediate evacuations and heightened security measures.
Evacuations and Intensive Security Checks
Security personnel evacuated the court buildings and barred visitors from entry, asking lawyers, litigants, and staff to step outside. Police cordoned off the areas and intensified checks at all entry points to ensure safety. At the rural court complex in Navrangpura, approximately 400 people present on the premises were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Bomb disposal teams arrived at the site around 11 am and conducted a detailed search of the court building and surrounding areas, leaving no stone unturned.
Threat Email Details and Investigation Findings
The threatening emails contained references to Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, and alleged plans to carry out explosions at courts and judicial offices in different states. The message also made provocative claims linking the threat to the death of a man in Tamil Nadu and referred to slain terrorist Ajmal Kasab. However, after a thorough inspection of both the Gujarat high court and Ahmedabad rural court, officials found no suspicious objects. Investigators later confirmed that the threat was a hoax, with no evidence of any explosives or imminent danger.
Similar Incidents and Statewide Pattern
A similar bomb threat email was sent to the Dahod district court complex on Monday, prompting police to evacuate the building and conduct a thorough search. Dahod deputy superintendent of police Jagdish Bhandari stated that the email was sent to several courts in Gujarat. He confirmed, "We conducted a detailed search of the court premises but did not find anything suspicious." Police officials noted that this is not an isolated incident, with at least half a dozen similar threats targeting courts reported in the past year. Additionally, several educational institutions and government offices in Ahmedabad city, Ahmedabad district, and Gandhinagar have received similar bomb threat emails in recent months.
Arrest and Cybercrime Connection
Last week, in a joint operation by the city crime branch and cybercrime branch, a 30-year-old man from West Bengal, identified as Sourav Biswas, was arrested in connection with a series of such emails. Investigators revealed that the accused allegedly sold more than 1,000 compromised email IDs for about $150 to an individual in Bangladesh. Police sources indicated that the use of hacked or sold email accounts has made it challenging to identify the actual senders, suggesting that similar threat messages could continue to appear in the future.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and the need for robust measures to prevent such hoaxes from disrupting public safety and judicial operations.
