Multiple Courts in West Bengal Targeted by Bomb Threats, Sparking Widespread Evacuations
In a concerning security incident, at least six courts across West Bengal were hit by bomb threats on Tuesday, forcing evacuations and disrupting judicial proceedings statewide. According to officials cited by PTI, the threats arrived via email in the morning, prompting immediate action from law enforcement agencies.
Affected Courts and Security Response
The targeted facilities included the City Sessions Court and the CJM (Bankshall) Court in Kolkata, along with sub-divisional courts in Asansol and Durgapur within Paschim Bardhaman district. Additionally, courts in Chuchura and Arambagh in Hooghly district received similar threatening messages. A senior police officer confirmed these details to the news agency.
In response, security personnel, including specialized bomb squad teams and sniffer dogs, conducted thorough searches at all affected court complexes. No explosive materials were discovered during these operations, the officer noted. The City Sessions Court and CJM (Bankshall) Court were evacuated as a precaution, with Kolkata Police bomb squads meticulously combing the premises before allowing normal judicial work to resume. Similar search protocols were implemented at the other locations.
Investigations and Possible Motives
Authorities are probing whether the simultaneous bomb threats are linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process currently being overseen by judicial officers. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal addressed the issue, stating, "I think the police are already probing the bomb threats, and whether they are linked to any ongoing election-related exercise in the courts." He emphasized that state police must investigate thoroughly to ascertain the truth and identify those responsible, suggesting the messages may be hoaxes.
At a press briefing held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty announced that a probe has been launched to trace the origin of the emails and determine if they were sent by an individual or a group. Flanked by West Bengal DGP Piyush Pandey and Kolkata Commissioner of Police Supratim Sarkar, she reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of judicial officers and personnel involved in the SIR process.
"All safety measures were taken, and a thorough check was conducted. However, nothing was found. The work at the courts resumed after the search," Chakravorty stated. When asked about similarities in the emails' language or sender details, she responded, "Our investigating agencies are looking into all these aspects."
Cyber Crime Involvement and Ongoing Efforts
Commissioner Sarkar confirmed that the Kolkata Police cyber crime cell is actively involved in the investigation, coordinating with state agencies to trace the server and domain associated with the threat emails. This multi-agency effort aims to uncover the perpetrators behind what appears to be a coordinated hoax, though authorities remain vigilant given the disruption caused.
The incident has raised alarms about security protocols at judicial institutions, especially during sensitive electoral activities. While no physical harm occurred, the threats underscore the need for robust cybersecurity measures and prompt emergency responses to safeguard public institutions and maintain order.
