Was the Bomb Threat at Punjab and Haryana HC a Hoax?

Synopsis
A recent bomb threat at the Punjab and Haryana High Court led to a swift evacuation of courtrooms. The incident turned out to be a hoax, but it highlights the critical nature of vigilance in public spaces. Discover how law enforcement responded and the safety measures in place to protect the community.
Key Takeaways
- Chandigarh Police acted promptly to ensure safety.
- The bomb threat was confirmed to be a hoax.
- Community vigilance is crucial in such situations.
- Virtual court proceedings were offered to lawyers unable to attend.
- Previous threats in the region highlight ongoing security concerns.
Chandigarh, May 22 (NationPress) The courtrooms of the Punjab and Haryana High Court were evacuated on Thursday following a bomb threat reported by the Chandigarh Police.
The police's rapid response team (QRT), which included the bomb squad, quickly arrived at the High Court building, ensuring the evacuation of courtrooms before commencing their search for any explosive devices.
Both advocates and litigants were instructed to vacate the premises.
Upon receiving news of the bomb scare, the Bar Association promptly issued an alert regarding the threat.
"All members are kindly urged to stay alert. If any suspicious or unattended items are detected on the premises, please notify the office of the High Court Bar Association, Chandigarh, immediately," stated the notice from HCBA secretary, Gagandeep Jammu.
The High Court Registrar General confirmed that police personnel and Bomb Disposal Squads from the Chandigarh Police were dispatched to search the court premises. Operations in the courts resumed at 2 p.m.
As per the request from the President of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, lawyers were permitted to participate in proceedings virtually, as noted in a message issued by the Registrar General. It also mentioned that no adverse action would be taken against any lawyer unable to attend court, either physically or virtually.
The Bar Association reiterated the importance of notifying their office immediately if any suspicious or unattended items were observed.
Just a day before, an email threat to bomb the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office in Ludhiana caused considerable panic.
In response to this threat, the police acted swiftly. They are currently working to trace the IP address of the email to identify its sender.
Following this threat, bomb disposal squads and canine units were deployed to conduct an extensive search of the DC office.