Hoax Bomb Threat Emails Target Bengal Judges Overseeing SIR Verification
In a concerning incident, identical hoax emails threatening suicide bomb attacks and RDX blasts were sent to district judges supervising SIR verification work in Kolkata, West Burdwan, Hooghly, and Murshidabad. The emails, originating from rameeza_hussain@hotmail.com, arrived at 7:59 AM on Tuesday, causing widespread alarm and prompting immediate police action.
Police Response and Security Measures
The threat emails led to anti-sabotage drills with sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads being conducted in at least six courts across West Bengal. However, all searches drew a blank, confirming the threats as false. Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty later addressed the media, stating that the email was a hoax and assuring that the Bengal government would provide maximum security to judges and court premises. She urged litigants and lawyers not to panic, emphasizing the state's commitment to safety.
Cybersecurity units in Kolkata and the Bengal police are actively working to trace the origin of the email. The mail, written in Bengali, falsely claimed that attacks would be launched by Maoists from Tamil Nadu and Pakistan's ISI. Chakravorty noted, The emails followed the same pattern. We are investigating whether one or more persons are involved. When asked if the threats aimed to derail the verification of SIR documents by judges, she responded, District judges are working. Time is short. The state govt ensured their protection and support.
Official Statements and Investigations
Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal confirmed that the matter is being thoroughly investigated. He pointed out that judges have been involved in the verification of SIR documents following a Supreme Court order, stating, Police will definitely look into this. It is their responsibility. The security of the judges must be ensured. The DGP will provide security using central forces. The DGP will utilise the state police. We will not be deploying central forces independently at this time.
DGP Peeyush Pandey assured that police are fully prepared to neutralize any threat. Kolkata's Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar provided details on the response to the threat mail received by the chief judge of the City Sessions Court (Bankshall Court), saying, The bomb disposal squad of the detective department immediately reached the spot and we spoke to the judges. We carried out a full search but found nothing. It was established to be a fake mail. Anyone trying to spread panic will face stern legal action.
Impact on Court Operations
Despite the threats, court functions largely proceeded normally, though with some disruptions. At Bankshall Court, senior police officers, including Additional CP DP Singh and Joint CP (crime) Rupesh Kumar, monitored security throughout the day. Attendance was thin as a section of lawyers stayed away to mourn a colleague's death.
In other districts, the hoax caused significant tension:
- Asansol District Court: Proceedings were suspended, and judges were moved to safe locations on the premises. Police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, conducted thorough searches of the complex.
- Durgapur Court: Similar events unfolded, with security measures implemented to ensure safety.
- Chinsurah District Judge's Court in Hooghly: A team from the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate, along with bomb and dog squads, searched the premises, temporarily disrupting proceedings. Chandannagar Police Commissioner Koteswar Rao mentioned that the special branch was involved in conducting special surveillance in the court compound.
Murshidabad Police Superintendent Dhritiman Sarkar directed officers experienced in cybercrime investigations to identify the source of the email received by the district judge, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address this cybersecurity threat.
