Bhubaneswar: Bomb threats sent via email triggered security alerts at the District and Sessions Courts in Odisha’s Puri and Keonjhar on Monday, leading to an immediate security mobilisation and an extensive search of the premises.
According to sources, the email mentioned that 14 cyanide-filled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been planted within the court premises, with a warning that they would detonate by the afternoon. It further alleged that Pakistan’s ISI and the DMK party had planned attacks on courts in Tamil Nadu and other states to divert attention from the alleged horrific custodial death of Ajith Kumar by Tamil Nadu police.
The message sparked panic among court staff, lawyers, litigants, and visitors.
Soon, specialised team conducted a thorough inspection of the premises using sniffer dogs and metal detectors. Security has also been tightened as a precautionary step to ensure the safety of people in the area.
Speaking to the media, Puri city DSP Rashmi Ranraj Patra said: “Police along with bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog units and scientific team immediately arrived at the court following the threat mail. They conducted thorough search of the premises, but found no explosives or suspicious items. So, we suspect that it was a hoax mail.”
He added that efforts are underway to trace the sender and strict action will be taken based on the findings.
This came almost a week after anonymous emails warned of attacks on courts in Sambalpur and Bargarh.
Earlier on January 8, the district courts in Cuttack, Deogarh and Sambalpur had also received emails where the sender threatened to explode bombs on the court premises, causing panic among lawyers, litigants and judges. Similar communications were received by authorities of the district and sessions judge courts in Cuttack, Puri and Phulbani on February 6. Though there was no such threatening email for Sambalpur court, the local police still searched the premises as a precautionary measure.
In those prior cases, extensive searches consistently found no credible threats, leading police to classify them as hoaxes designed to cause disruption.
