Gujarat Courts Evacuated in Bomb Threat Hoax, Following Similar School Incidents
Security operations swept across Gujarat on Tuesday as six district courts received bomb threat emails, triggering immediate evacuations and comprehensive security checks. This alarming development came just one day after at least 40 schools in the state faced similar threats, all of which were confirmed as hoaxes by authorities.
Widespread Court Evacuations and Security Response
District courts in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Valsad, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and Mehsana were targeted by the threatening emails, prompting swift action from law enforcement. Police teams, specialized Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), highly trained dog squads, and cybercrime units were rapidly deployed to conduct thorough, systematic searches of all premises.
Despite the detailed investigations, no explosives or suspicious devices were discovered at any location. Police officials have stated that the threats appear to be coordinated hoaxes, but a detailed, multi-agency investigation is actively underway to identify the perpetrators and determine potential motives.
Specific Threats and Judicial Disruption
In Gandhinagar, the threatening email specifically warned of an explosion at the district court complex, leading to the immediate evacuation of lawyers, litigants, and court staff. Judicial proceedings were halted as police cordoned off the entire area and conducted a meticulous, floor-by-floor search, including all chambers and parking facilities. Officials noted that a similar hoax threat had previously targeted the Gandhinagar collector's office, suggesting a possible pattern.
The Vadodara district court received an email claiming that 19 bombs had been planted on the premises and would detonate by lunchtime. Deputy Commissioner of Police Manjita Vanzara revealed that the message also referenced and criticized a court judgment from Tamil Nadu, adding a concerning dimension to the threat. Teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), BDDS, dog squads, and cyber experts conducted extensive checks but found nothing suspicious.
In Valsad, the threat email claimed that 19 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been placed within the court complex and would explode before afternoon namaz. Superintendent of Police Yuvrajsinh Jadeja confirmed that 19 courtrooms were evacuated and thoroughly searched, with no explosives detected.
Precautionary Measures and Continued Operations
District courts in Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad were evacuated as a precautionary measure in the morning hours. However, at the Ahmedabad rural court, routine judicial proceedings continued despite receiving a threat email at 4:07 AM warning of RDX and IED explosions during lunch hours, demonstrating varying responses based on risk assessments.
Later in the afternoon, the Mehsana district court received a similar email and was promptly evacuated. Superintendent of Police Himanshu Solanki reported that a detailed search was conducted with assistance from BDDS and dog squads, but no suspicious objects were found, confirming another hoax.
Connection to Previous School Threats and Investigation
This series of court threats follows Monday's incidents where at least 40 schools in Ahmedabad and Vadodara received bomb threat emails, all of which were also determined to be hoaxes. Cybercrime teams are now intensively analyzing IP addresses and tracing the digital origin of the emails to establish whether the threats targeting schools and courts are linked or part of a broader, coordinated campaign.
Police authorities have urged citizens to remain calm, avoid panic, and refrain from spreading unverified rumors. The investigation continues as security remains heightened across key institutions in Gujarat to prevent any potential disruptions and ensure public safety.
