Bomb Threat Email Triggers Security Scare at Jharsuguda Court
A bomb threat email sent to Jharsuguda District Court triggered an evacuation and security search, with officials declaring the area safe after finding no explosives.
A bomb threat email sent to the official email account of the Jharsuguda district judge on Thursday triggered a security scare, leading to the evacuation of the district and sessions court premises and a search operation by police and security agencies. Officials later declared the court complex safe, terming the threat a prima facie hoax. The threatening email, received on the district judge's official email ID at 8am, claimed 23 bombs had been planted inside the judge's office, chambers, and other parts of the court complex and would explode at 1.15 pm. The district judge's office informed the district police administration, prompting the Jharsuguda district bar association to issue an advisory asking all advocates, court employees, and litigants to vacate the premises and cooperate with security personnel.
Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra stated that police, along with the dog squad and bomb squad, conducted a thorough search of the court premises. No suspicious or incriminating object was found, and the court was declared completely safe. The senior police officer added that the email appears to be a hoax. District bar association secretary Niladri Bihari Panda noted that similar bomb threat emails had been reported from other districts in Odisha. Police have launched a cyber investigation to trace the sender and verify the origin of the email.
What led to the court evacuation? The evacuation was triggered by a threatening email received by the district judge's official email account, claiming the planting of 23 bombs across the court complex. The email, allegedly sent on Thursday at 8am, warned of an explosion at 1.15 pm, prompting immediate action by authorities.
How did authorities respond? Police, in coordination with the dog squad and bomb squad, conducted a comprehensive search of the court premises. No explosives or suspicious items were found, and the area was declared safe. Authorities are treating the incident as a hoax but continue the cyber probe to identify the sender.
What is the current status of the investigation? A cyber investigation has been initiated by police to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender. SP G R Raghavendra emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
Why are similar threats reported in Odisha? Niladri Bihari Panda, district bar association secretary, mentioned that similar bomb threat emails have been reported in other Odisha districts. The specific motive for this incident remains under investigation.
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Was the bomb threat email verified?
Authorities confirmed the email was received but found no explosives during the search, declaring the threat a prima facie hoax.
What was the nature of the email?
The email claimed 23 bombs had been planted in the court complex and warned of an explosion at 1.15 pm.
Did authorities find any explosives?
No explosives or suspicious items were found during the police and bomb squad search.
What actions were taken after the email?
The court premises were evacuated, and a thorough security search was conducted by police, dog squad, and bomb squad.
Is this a common occurrence in Odisha?
Similar bomb threat emails have been reported in other Odisha districts, according to the Jharsuguda district bar association secretary.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A cyber investigation is ongoing to trace the sender of the email, but no arrests have been made as of the latest report.
Rakesh Pradhan
District Correspondent, Jharsuguda
Rakesh Pradhan reports on Jharsuguda's industrial corridor, power and aluminium sector news, and civic administration for the Mirror.
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