Several civil courts in the state, including those in Patna, Aurangabad and Bhagalpur, were evacuated on Monday morning after authorities received bomb threat emails, prompting heightened security and suspension of judicial proceedings,
The Times of India reports.
The email, sent to the courts’ official addresses and the District Bar Association, warned of multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly containing RDX. Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said the bomb threat email received by the civil court appeared to be a hoax.
“The email was received by the registrar of Patna civil court on Monday morning. The cyber cell is attempting to trace the IP address of this email and the pattern linking these incidents. The case was lodged at Pirbahore police station and the investigation is underway,” he told TOI.
Speaking specifically on the source of the emails, Sharma said investigators have so far drawn a blank. “We are trying to trace the source, but so far we have not been able to find out where these emails are coming from, who is sending them, or whether there is any connection between all these emails. It is also difficult to say from where the senders are sending these emails.
Help has been taken from the cyber cell team and the investigation is ongoing,” he said. On Monday, security was stepped up across all court premises and key judicial proceedings were cancelled as police, along with bomb disposal squads and dog units, carried out extensive searches. No explosives were found at any of the locations. At Patna civil court, the message triggered panic, leading to the evacuation of the entire premises. Lawyers, judges, litigants and staff were asked to vacate their chambers while prisoners and witnesses were turned away.
The court complex was sealed and entry was restricted. Police from Pirbahore police station, along with multiple teams, conducted thorough searches of the premises. The email read, “3 RDX IEDs made from C-4 RDX were already placed at appropriate locations in the building. 1 or 2 members will approach the court during lunchtime, carrying remote-controlled triggers.
