Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Feb: A bomb threat was received through email which caused alarm across several district courts in Uttarakhand today, prompting immediate evacuation and intensive security checks in Nainital, Ramnagar, Haldwani and Uttarkashi. The threats, reportedly addressed in the name of the All India Judges Association, claimed that explosives had been planted inside court premises, including judges’ chambers.
According to the officials, an email warning that the District and Sessions Court in Nainital would be blown up was received, following which the police and district administrations swung into action. Security was tightened across the court complex and adjoining areas. Police teams, along with the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), dog squad and other security agencies, reached the spot and conducted a thorough search of the premises.
Bhagwat Prasad, President of the District Bar Association, Nainital, shared with the media that an email had been received threatening to blow up the Nainital District Court. He added that the administration and security agencies were immediately informed and comprehensive security arrangements were put in place. The court complex was searched extensively and precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety today.
SP Jagdish Chandra stated that information about the presence of a bomb at the Nainital District and Sessions Court was received via email. Police personnel were deployed at the court and a checking drive was launched with the assistance of the bomb disposal squad and other agencies. Most parts of the court complex were inspected, and no suspicious object had been recovered so far.
Similar threats were also received by the court in Ramnagar, also located in Nainital district. The email allegedly claimed that 12 RDX bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been planted in judges’ chambers. It also carried a demand relating to the withdrawal of EWS reservation in Tamil Nadu. The message warned that the court complex should be vacated immediately.
Following the threat, the police forces were deployed not only in Nainital but also in Haldwani and Ramnagar. Courtrooms, judges’ chambers, lawyers’ offices and the entire campus were searched meticulously by the police, bomb disposal teams and dog squads. Court proceedings were severely affected throughout the morning as lawyers, judicial staff and members of the public were evacuated as a precaution. The surrounding areas were cordoned off and sealed.
In Haldwani, court activities were temporarily halted and public movement within the campus was restricted after a similar bomb alert was received. Heavy police deployment was ensured in view of the security situation. Investigating agencies are presently working to trace the source of the threatening emails. The administration has appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain calm.
SSP Manjunath TC also confirmed that an unidentified individual had issued the bomb threat through email and action was being taken as per standard operating procedures. Teams of the bomb disposal squad and dog squad were dispatched to the courts in Nainital, Ramnagar and Haldwani. So far, nothing objectionable has been found during the searches.
Meanwhile, the District Court in Uttarkashi also received a similar threat today, creating anxiety within the court premises. Acting on information from the District Judge, the police evacuated the entire court complex as a precautionary measure. Security was enhanced and intelligence teams were deployed to assist in the inspection.
Bhawna Kainthola, Kotwal of Uttarkashi, said that information had been received regarding an email claiming the presence of RDX within the court premises. The entire complex was immediately vacated and a detailed search operation was initiated.
Although no explosive material has been recovered in any of the courts so far, security agencies remain on alert. Cyber teams are reportedly examining the email headers and digital trail to ascertain the origin of the messages. The officials indicated that coordination has also been established with central agencies to determine whether the threats were part of a larger pattern seen in recent weeks in other states, where hoax emails targeting public institutions have been reported.
The authorities have further reiterated that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of judicial officers, lawyers, staff and litigants, and normal functioning of the courts will resume once the security clearance process is completed.
