Ludhiana court complex evacuated after bomb threat, 2nd such alert in a week

The Ludhiana court complex on Wednesday received a bomb threat for the second time in a week, forcing authorities to evacuate the premises and suspend judicial work for the day.

Lawyers were advised not to visit their chambers, and litigants were barred from entering the courtrooms as a precaution.

The threat arrived on the court’s official email ID from 'Veerapandian@outlook.com' around 8:15 am, before the courts opened.

Concerned staff immediately informed senior officials, and when the matter reached District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa, the Ludhiana Police Commissioner was alerted.

Police launched a search operation, deploying the bomb disposal squad and dog squad, along with heavy personnel throughout the court complex. The security sweep continued to ensure the premises were safe.

Following the alert, District Bar Association president Vipin Saggar sent a message to lawyers, urging them not to go to their chambers until the complex was cleared by police.

This was the second bomb threat in a week. On January 8, 2026, the first email—purportedly sent by “Ajmal Abdul Raj” from rajeevan_ajmal@outlook.com —claimed that three RDX-based improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using C-4 had been planted at key locations in the court complex.

The email also alleged that members carrying remote-control triggers would approach the building in the afternoon, with explosives detonating automatically within a 100-feet perimeter. It further threatened suicide attacks, drawing parallels with the Sri Lankan Easter attacks.

As a result of the latest threat, most lawyers did not attend court, and routine judicial proceedings were suspended, with the majority of cases adjourned.