Hyderabad: Panic gripped the Nampally criminal court complex on Thursday after authorities received an email claiming that a bomb had been planted inside the court premises. The threat prompted swift action from the police and emergency response teams, leading to heightened security measures and temporary restrictions on public access before the alert was eventually declared a hoax.
The email, received by court authorities earlier in the day, warned that an explosive device had been placed within the court complex and could detonate at any time. Given the sensitive nature of the location and the steady flow of advocates, litigants and staff on a working day, the information was immediately escalated to the local police.
Police and bomb squads rush to the spot
Hyderabad city police responded promptly to the alert, alerting specialised bomb disposal and detection units. Anti-sabotage teams rushed to the Nampally court complex and began a systematic inspection of the premises, including court halls, corridors, parking areas and other sensitive points.
Senior police officers supervised the operation to ensure that standard operating procedures were strictly followed. The inspection involved the use of bomb detection equipment and manual checks to rule out the presence of any suspicious objects or explosive materials.
After an extensive search, officials confirmed that no explosives or suspicious items were found anywhere within the court premises. The bomb threat was subsequently declared a hoax.
Entry restricted, proceedings disrupted
As a precautionary measure during the inspection, entry into the court building was temporarily restricted. Advocates, litigants and members of the public were prevented from entering the premises until the anti-sabotage checks were completed.
The restrictions caused brief disruption to court proceedings, with several hearings being delayed. Police personnel were deployed at entry and exit points to manage the situation and ensure that people remained calm.
Once the premises were cleared and declared safe, normal movement was gradually restored and court activities resumed.
Authorities urge caution against false threats
Police officials said that while the threat turned out to be fake, such incidents cannot be taken lightly. “Any bomb threat, especially to a place like a court complex, has to be treated as serious until proven otherwise,” a senior officer said.
Authorities noted that hoax threats not only create panic but also divert valuable security resources that could be required elsewhere. The police are expected to trace the source of the email and identify those responsible for issuing the threat.
Legal experts and advocates expressed concern over the recurring nature of such hoax alerts at public institutions. Some lawyers pointed out that repeated security scares disrupt judicial work and inconvenience both court staff and the public.
Previous incidents and security concerns
In recent years, Hyderabad, like several other major cities, has witnessed multiple hoax bomb threats targeting public buildings, educational institutions, courts and transport hubs. While most of these alerts have turned out to be false, each incident necessitates a full-scale security response due to the potential risk involved.
Security at court complexes has been a matter of growing concern, given their high footfall and the presence of undertrial prisoners, sensitive cases and key judicial officials. Police officials reiterated that security protocols are constantly reviewed and strengthened to deal with such situations effectively.
Conclusion
The bomb threat at the Nampally criminal court complex on Thursday caused brief panic and disruption but was resolved without incident after a thorough security sweep. While normalcy was restored after the threat was declared a hoax, the episode highlighted the need for strict action against those responsible for issuing false alerts.
Police have assured that efforts are underway to trace the origin of the threatening email, while urging the public to remain calm and cooperative during such emergency responses, which are essential to ensure safety.