Bomb threats prompt evacuation at district courts in Shimla, Kullu and Nahan; investigation underway

On Wednesday, district courts in Shimla, Kullu, and Nahan in Himachal Pradesh received bomb threats via email, triggering panic and immediate emergency action. Authorities quickly evacuated people from the court buildings and launched a large-scale search operation to ensure safety.

Evacuation and security measures taken immediately

Soon after receiving the threat, police officers and court authorities evacuated all staff, lawyers, and visitors from the court complexes in the three districts. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were also brought in to inspect the premises and the nearby areas thoroughly.

According to officials, no suspicious object or explosive was found during the inspection, but search operations continued for several hours to be completely sure.

What the Shimla SP said

Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP), Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, confirmed that threatening emails were sent to several court locations including Shimla and Rampur. These emails claimed that bombs had been placed in court premises, prompting the emergency response.

SP Gandhi said that senior police officers, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-level teams, were sent to all affected locations. “We are not taking any chances. The safety of court staff and the public is our top priority,” he said.

Police teams are now working to trace the source of the email. Authorities believe this might be part of a larger pattern, as similar threats were recently received by other government buildings in Himachal Pradesh and even in other states.

SP Gandhi added that Himachal Police is working with police departments from other states that have also received bomb threat emails. This joint effort will help identify whether the same person or group is behind all the threats.

Recent hoax threats in Himachal

This is not the first time that bomb threats have created panic in Himachal Pradesh. In recent months, hoax bomb threats were received at the:

• High Court of Himachal Pradesh

• HP Secretariat

• Deputy Commissioner’s offices

In all these cases, no explosives were found, and the threats turned out to be false. However, the rising frequency of such incidents is a major concern for the police and government.

Why bomb threats are taken seriously

Even when threats turn out to be false, the police do not treat them lightly. Every email or message claiming to have planted a bomb causes fear and disruption, especially in important places like courts or government buildings.

In this latest case, normal work at the courts was affected. People had to leave their jobs behind and exit the buildings. It also put pressure on emergency services, who had to act fast to ensure nothing dangerous was present.

Telangana also received threats

Just a day before the Himachal court threats, similar emails were sent in Telangana, targeting:

• Raj Bhavan (Governor’s residence)

• City Civil Court

• Gymkhana Club

• Other public places in Hyderabad

One email said that four IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) were placed in the civil court and judge chambers. This caused major alarm, and search teams were immediately sent to the locations. Fortunately, no bombs or explosives were found.

The back-to-back threats in Himachal and Telangana have raised suspicions of a link. Police from both states are now investigating if a common person or group is sending out these emails.

Cybercrime units are examining the email IDs, servers, and IP addresses used to send the messages. If caught, the person responsible could face serious criminal charges, including spreading fear, disruption of public services, and wasting emergency resources.

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Legal action against false threats

Making fake bomb threats is not a joke. In India, it is a serious crime. Those responsible can be booked under:

• IPC Section 505 (spreading false information)

• IPC Section 506 (criminal intimidation)

• Sections of the IT Act for misuse of email and internet services

If convicted, a person can face years in jail, a heavy fine, or both. These laws exist because false threats waste police time and cause unnecessary panic among the public.

Public urged not to panic, but stay alert

Officials have asked the public to stay calm, saying that there is no confirmed danger at the moment. However, they also urged people to report anything suspicious they might notice, whether inside court buildings or in public places nearby.

SP Gandhi stressed the need for public cooperation during such situations. “If you see any unclaimed bag, box, or item—please inform the nearest police officer immediately,” he said.

Due to this recent threat, security at court buildings in Himachal Pradesh is expected to be tightened further. This may include:

• Stricter checks at entrances

• More CCTV surveillance

• Regular inspection rounds

• Visitor ID checks

Court officials may also be given training on how to respond during emergencies. This can help reduce panic and confusion if similar incidents happen again in the future.

The bomb threats received by courts in Shimla, Kullu, and Nahan caused serious concern and disruption, even though no actual bomb was found. Police are taking the matter very seriously and working to find the person behind the email threats.

As similar threats have happened in the past, this incident highlights the need for stronger cyber security, better preparedness, and strict punishment for those spreading fear.

The good news is that everyone is safe, but the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities hope to catch the culprit soon and stop such acts from happening again.