Gujarat High Court and Five District Courts Receive Bomb Threats; Dog Squad and Bomb Disposal Teams Launch Search Operations
Ahmedabad: The wave of bomb threats targeting government institutions across Gujarat shows no signs of abating. The Gujarat High Court along with district courts in Surat, Ahmedabad’s Lal Darwaja City Civil and Sessions Court, and courts in Bharuch, Anand, and Rajkot received threatening emails late Monday night warning of explosions, triggering widespread panic. An unidentified individual sent emails to official court IDs threatening to blow up entire buildings using RDX. Taking the threats seriously, authorities have suspended judicial proceedings at all affected courts while dog squads and bomb disposal teams conduct thorough searches.
Entry Prohibited as Intensive Search Operations Begin at All Five Courts
Considering the gravity of these threats, entry has been restricted at the Gujarat High Court and all affected district courts. Additionally, all judicial work has been immediately suspended. Administrative officials have safely evacuated lawyers, staff members, and litigants from the premises. Upon learning of the incident, police teams along with senior officers rushed to the locations. Bomb disposal and dog squads are currently conducting meticulous searches across parking areas, canteens, and every floor of the court buildings. However, preliminary investigations have not uncovered any suspicious objects thus far.
Threatening Emails Originating From Outside India: Crime Branch
According to DCP Ajit Rajiyan of Ahmedabad Crime Branch, courts have been receiving bomb threats since yesterday. Their team is currently investigating the matter. Preliminary findings suggest these threatening emails are being sent from outside India. It appears someone is attempting to create panic by sending such messages. The investigation is ongoing in this direction.
Threatening Email Received at 2 AM
According to available information, an email in English arrived at approximately 2:00 AM Monday night on the official email IDs of courts in Ahmedabad and Surat. The message contained a serious warning about demolishing court buildings using explosives (RDX). When court employees reported for duty early Tuesday morning and checked their emails, they discovered the threatening message.
Principal Judge Takes Action, Suspends Court Proceedings
Recognizing the seriousness of the email, employees immediately informed the Principal District Judge. The judge ordered immediate alerts to police authorities. A decision was made to suspend all court operations until new instructions are issued by the Principal Judge.
Intensive Search Operation by Security Agencies
Various wings of Surat Police sprang into action immediately after receiving the threat. The entire premises of Surat District Court and Fast Track Court have been cordoned off. Teams from Crime Branch, SOG, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDDS), and Dog Squad have joined the investigation. Searches are being conducted in every corner of the court, including chambers and parking areas. Preliminary investigations have not revealed any objectionable items so far.
Government advocate Nayan Sukhdwala stated, “We received a threat at 2 AM about blowing up the court with RDX. When staff checked the email in the morning, they immediately informed the judge saheb, and police were summoned without delay. Police are currently conducting intensive checking, and court proceedings will remain suspended until further orders from the judge.”
Surat Now Targeted After Ahmedabad
On January 5, Ahmedabad’s rural court (near Income Tax office) also received a similar email threat. In Ahmedabad too, Navrangpura Police and the bomb squad conducted search operations. With major courts receiving threats on consecutive days, state security agencies are now seeking cyber crime assistance to trace the source of these emails.