Punjab and Haryana HC receives bomb threat mail; police launch search

Chandigarh | The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday received a bomb threat e-mail, prompting the Chandigarh Police to launch a search of the court premises, officials said.

Police have evacuated the court complex and restricted public entry for the time-being, they said.

"An e-mail was sent to the registrar's office of the high court, claiming that an IED had been planted in the complex. On being informed, police launched a thorough search," Chandigarh Police SDPO (Central), Udaypal Singh, said.

Speaking to reporters outside the court complex, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain said, "We were inside the court for a hearing. In one of the courtrooms, the DGP and SSP of Chandigarh Police were also present in connection with a case.

"We were told that an e-mail has been received, which threatened to blow up the court premises. Police teams along with a bomb disposal squad reached the site immediately." There was no panic as everyone cooperated, including the city administration and the high court authorities, he added.

"As soon as message was received that courtrooms should be vacated, everyone cooperated," Jain said. Sartej Singh Narula, president of the high court bar association, also told reporters that the court premises was evacuated soon after the bomb threat e-mail was received.

In a notice issued to all its members, the bar association said, "It is for the information of all the members of the Bar that 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 inform the office of the high court bar association immediately. The members are further requested to vacate the courtrooms immediately as a precautionary measure." The notice said court proceedings will resume after lunch after 2 pm