Bhubaneswar: Security was tightened across three district court complexes in Odisha after authorities received bomb threats through anonymous emails.
Authorities confirmed that the emails, which appeared identical in content, were sent to the courts in Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Deogarh, warning of explosives planted within the premises. The threats prompted swift action from local police, who deployed bomb detection squads, sniffer dogs, and additional personnel to conduct thorough searches while closely monitoring entry and exit points.
No suspicious devices, however, were found during the inspections, indicating that the threats were likely hoaxes.
In Cuttack, Orissa High Court and the Cuttack District and Sessions Court campuses were vacated as a safety precaution, leading to the temporary suspension of hearings. Similar protocols were followed in Sambalpur and Deogarh, where court activities were halted to allow for comprehensive checks using metal detectors and canine units.
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Police officials said the source of the email is being traced, and cyber teams have been engaged to verify its origin. “An anonymous email containing a threat to damage court premises has been received at several courts. The police have taken cognizance of the matter and initiated a thorough investigation. As a precautionary measure, police checking and enhanced security arrangements have been put in place at all concerned locations. The situation is under close monitoring. The public is advised not to panic and to cooperate with the police in maintaining security and assisting the investigation,” DGP Y B Khurania said in a press note.
While treating the threat seriously and working to identify the perpetrator, police are also ensuring robust security for all judicial facilities in the state.
Similar hoax alerts were recently reported in several other states including Gujarat, Karnataka, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh, where multiple district courts and high courts were evacuated but no explosives were found.
