A wave of panic and disruption swept through court complexes in Odisha and several other Indian states on Thursday after an anonymous email threatened bomb attacks. The alarming message triggered immediate mass evacuations, extensive security sweeps, and launched a coordinated multi-state investigation.
Details of the Threatening Email
The threatening email, received by court authorities around 9:19 am, claimed that three RDX-based IEDs had been planted on the premises. It ominously ordered judges and staff to evacuate by 2:35 pm. While the scare was centered in Odisha, similar emails were also received by courts in states including Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting a widespread attempt to create chaos.
Preliminary analysis by cyber police revealed the email was sent from the ID arundale_kumar@hotmail.com under the name 'Arun Kumar, LTTE'. The content referenced issues concerning Tamil Nadu constables and mentioned the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Pakistan's ISI, leading investigators to initially suspect it might be a prank. However, authorities are treating it with full seriousness.
High-Level Response and Investigation Launched
Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the police to handle the matter with utmost priority and show no leniency. "Public safety cannot be compromised, and no laxity will be tolerated," stated the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, however, publicly dismissed the threat as a "false and hoax" message.
Acting on the CM's instructions, Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania rushed to a court in Cuttack to oversee the security response. The state's crime branch and cyber experts are now meticulously tracking the digital trail. The Orissa High Court has also reportedly directed the state police to identify the sender.
Investigators are analyzing the email for IP addresses, routing details, and other technical footprints. A senior cyber police officer indicated that the sender likely used a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mask their location. "We are probing whether the email originated within India or abroad," the officer added.
Widespread Disruption and Security Fallout
The threat led to immediate action across Odisha. Security forces conducted extensive frisking and searches of court premises, though no suspicious materials were found. The massive security operation caused significant disruption, halting proceedings at district courts and the Orissa High Court for nearly four to five hours.
The incident has exposed the vulnerability of critical public institutions to cyber-enabled threats and pranks. While the immediate physical danger appears to have been a hoax, the psychological impact and operational paralysis caused are very real. The multi-state nature of the threat has necessitated cooperation between various police forces to trace the source and uncover the motive behind this disruptive act.
The investigation continues as authorities work to unmask the individual or group behind the anonymous email and ensure such panic is not repeated.
