Bhubaneswar: A major security alert gripped Khordha District Judicial Court Complex in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday after authorities received an anonymous call threatening a bomb attack, sparking panic among lawyers, staff, visitors, and litigants.
The threatening call claimed that explosives had been planted within the premises, with particular mention of the Family Court building. The alert prompted an immediate and coordinated response from Badagada police.
Following standard operating procedures, a search
operation was swiftly launched. Security personnel conducted thorough sweeps of high-traffic and vulnerable areas such as entry and exit points, garden lawns, under-construction spots, and the underground parking section. Metal detectors were used, with particular attention given to areas like Lift No. 1 and nearby passages. Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) with advanced scanners, and a K9 dog squad were also engaged.
At one point, two abandoned gunny bags near Lift 1 raised suspicions, leading the BDDS team to isolate and thoroughly scan them; they were later cleared as non-threatening. Despite the intensive operation, which lasted several hours, no explosives or suspicious objects were discovered.
A full evacuation of the complex was avoided to minimise disruption and chaos. Court proceedings in the primary halls continued with judges and advocates, even as searches progressed. A cyber and technical team has been tasked with tracing the origin of the email.
An advocate on the premises described the incident as fourth such threat, noting that previous ones had also turned out to be hoaxes, with the sender yet to be identified.