Punjab and Haryana High Court evacuated after bomb threat email

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court received a bomb threat email on Thursday, prompting the Chandigarh Police to launch an immediate search of the court premises, officials confirmed. Following the threat, the court complex was evacuated and public entry was temporarily restricted.

According to Chandigarh Police SDPO (Central) Udaypal Singh, the email, sent to the registrar’s office, claimed that an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted within the complex. Upon receiving this information, police began a thorough search operation.

Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain, speaking outside the court, said, “We were inside the court for a hearing when we were informed about the email threatening to blow up the court premises. Police teams, including a bomb disposal squad, promptly arrived at the site.” He added that there was no panic as everyone, including the city administration and high court authorities, cooperated fully.

Jain also noted, “As soon as the alert was issued to vacate the courtrooms, everyone complied immediately.” Sartej Singh Narula, president of the high court bar association, confirmed to reporters that the premises were evacuated soon after the threat was received.

In a notice to its members, the bar association informed, “An alert regarding a bomb threat at the high court has been received. All members are requested to remain vigilant. If any suspicious or unattended items are found within the premises, please notify the high court bar association office immediately.” The notice further urged members to vacate courtrooms as a precautionary measure and stated that court proceedings would resume after lunch at 2 pm.

With PTI inputs