Panic after bomb threat at Dist Courts

The District Courts complex in Sector 43 here was today evacuated by the police after they received information around 12 noon that a bomb had been planted on its premises.

Advocate Vinod Verma said he was standing before a court when the police asked all persons gathered there to vacate the premises. Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 15, said that he was to attend a case hearing in the morning. He was waiting outside the court when police personnel asked all present there to vacate the premises, citing a bomb threat.

After search operations stretching over two hours, the police found nothing and allowed litigants and advocates to attend courts.

Ashok Chauhan, president of the District Bar Association, said the advocates fully cooperated with the police in the search operations. He said immediately after getting information, all visitors, court staff, judges and advocates were evacuated from the premises.

Heavy police force was deployed on the premises. Bomb disposal and dog squads were pressed into service. The area around the courts complex was condoned off.

Judicial work was affected due to the search operations. Advocate Verma said there was a need to enhance security in the complex. Though security was stepped up after a similar bomb threat call received in January 2023, the advocates stressed the need to further strengthen it. Police personnel are deployed at the main two entrances meant for the general public, but several other gates are not properly protected.