Anandpur Sahib /Ropar, Jan 8: Panic spread across two judicial complexes in Punjab on Thursday after an email threatening a bomb blast led to the evacuation of court premises at Ropar and Anandpur Sahib.
According to officials, judicial authorities at Ropar received an email warning of an attempt to blow up the court building. Acting on the threat, police swung into action and ordered the immediate evacuation of all courtrooms and offices, forcing a suspension of judicial work.
Lawyers, litigants, court employees and visitors were asked to leave the premises, with several eyewitnesses describing scenes of anxiety as people hurried out. Police personnel sealed off the complex and tightened security in the surrounding areas.
SSP Gulneet Khurana said investigations were underway. “An email threatening a blast at the judicial complex was received. We took all precautionary steps, evacuated the premises and deployed security teams. The threat is being thoroughly investigated,” she said.
Sources said the alert was not treated as an isolated incident. Fearing a coordinated attempt, authorities also evacuated the judicial complex at Anandpur Sahib and deployed additional police personnel there.
Bomb disposal units were pressed into service and standard operating procedures were followed at both sites. Officials said no suspicious material had been detected till the filing of this report.
Cyber experts have been tasked with tracing the source of the email. Normal court functioning will resume only after a complete security clearance is issued.
