The Chandigarh District Court complex in Sector 43 was swiftly evacuated on Friday after authorities received a bomb threat email that specifically warned of an attack using a drone. After an extensive search operation involving multiple security teams, the police declared the threat a hoax.
Swift Evacuation and Security Lockdown
The alarming email landed in the court's inbox at 11:55 am, triggering immediate action. Police officials moved quickly to clear the premises. The entire court complex was evacuated, both main gates were shut, and the area was sealed off to ensure public safety. The email sender had threatened to use a drone to drop a bomb and blow up the court complex, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Extensive Search Reveals No Threat
In response to the threat, bomb disposal squads, anti-sabotage teams, and senior police officers conducted a thorough inspection of the premises. No suspicious object was found during the search, and officials ruled out any immediate danger. A police officer confirmed the receipt of the threat but did not disclose the identity of the recipient, stating that the cyber unit of the Chandigarh Police is investigating the matter.
This incident comes nearly four months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, also located in Chandigarh, received a similar bomb threat email in August. In that case, the sender had specified a time for multiple blasts, leading to a massive search operation. An earlier hoax email in May had also targeted the High Court, prompting an FIR against unidentified persons.
Calls for Enhanced Security Measures
Speaking about the recurring threats, District Bar Association president Ashok Chauhan highlighted that the district court had faced such threats before. He called for stronger security protocols, suggesting that checking machines should be placed at the main entrance of the complex rather than inside the premises to bolster security effectively.
Police have stated that security around the court will remain tight as efforts continue to trace the origin of the threatening email. This event is part of a worrying pattern of hoax bomb threats targeting institutions in the region, including recent emails sent to schools in Patiala, Amritsar, and Jalandhar.
