Chandigarh: Panic gripped the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh on Thursday following a bomb threat received on an email that led to a swift security response and evacuation of several areas within the premises. Bomb squads and dog squads rushed to the spot immediately.
Searches Underway In Courtrooms
According to reports, security was immediately heightened across the court complex after the threat was reported. A large team from Chandigarh Police reached the spot and initiated precautionary measures, while the bomb disposal squad was deployed to carry out thorough checks across all courtrooms.
Judges, Lawyers Brought To Safety
As part of the emergency protocol, multiple courtrooms, including that of the Chief Justice, were evacuated to ensure the safety of judges, staff and visitors. Visuals of the chaos at the High Court premises have surfaced on the internet.
According to officials, the threat was received in the form of an email sent to the registrar's office. The message claimed that an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted within the court complex. In response, police authorities immediately evacuated most areas of the building and suspended public entry as a precautionary measure.
“A thorough search operation has been initiated across the premises,” said Udaypal Singh, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Central), Chandigarh Police told PTI. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were deployed to scan the area, although no suspicious object had been found at the time of reporting.
Secretary of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association, Gagandeep Jammu stated that the premises was evacuated immediately and the court proceedings will be suspended for a while. Speaking to the media, he said, "We received a bomb threat. As we received the message, the lawyers and staff were asked to vacate the High Court. The court's work has been suspended until 2 pm."
Bomb Scare At Ambala Dy Commissioner Office
This incident comes just a day after a similar bomb scare at the deputy commissioner’s office in Ambala, which also led to an evacuation. That threat was later confirmed to be a hoax.
