The premises of the Bombay High Court in south Mumbai’s Fort area were evacuated on Thursday after multiple courts in the city received bomb threat emails, triggering a major security response.
Apart from
the Bombay High Court, bomb threats were also reported at courts in Bandra, Andheri and Esplanade, also known as Killa Court. Police immediately deployed bomb detection and disposal squads and evacuated the premises as a precautionary measure.
Officials said the threat email was received by the Bandra court, following which standard operating procedures were put in place across all affected locations. Bomb squads conducted thorough searches of the court complexes but found no suspicious objects or explosives.
After the checks were completed, the threats were declared hoaxes.
Mumbai Commissioner of Police assured citizens that there was no cause for alarm, while senior police officers said all necessary safety protocols had been followed.
“Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad carried out a complete search of the premises. No explosive material was found and the threat has been declared a hoax,” a police officer was quoted as saying by The Indian Express, which first reported the incident.
Police said an FIR will be registered against unidentified persons in connection with the threat emails and efforts are underway to trace the source.
Judges, including the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, vacated the court premises in South Mumbai around 1 pm on Thursday after a bomb threat was received, The Indian Express said in its report. Lawyers, litigants and court staff were also asked to leave the building as a precautionary measure.
Lawyers’ associations informed their members about the evacuation shortly after the threat was flagged, requesting them to ensure that the judges they were attached to exited the courtrooms immediately. Court proceedings were temporarily halted as security agencies moved in to carry out checks.
In a message circulated to lawyers, one association said: “Under instructions from Hon’ble the Chief Justice, this is to inform you all to request the Hon’ble Judges to whom you are attached that due to a bomb threat, the Bomb Disposal Squad will be carrying out checks. Judges are requested to rise from courts and assemble in the Judges’ Conference Hall. Courts will resume at 3 pm.”
