Udupi: The Udupi District Court received a hoax bomb threat via email for the second time in less than a week, prompting authorities to deploy the dog squad and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) to conduct an extensive search of the court premises.
The threatening email was sent to the district court’s official email ID at 8.53 pm on June 26. However, court staff noticed the message only at around 11.30 am on June 27 and immediately informed the police.
Email claimed bombs were planted
According to police, the sender claimed that five “silicon dynamite bombs” had been planted in the court complex, specifically in the record room and the e-centre located on the first floor of the building.
Following the alert, Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad, sub-inspectors Bharatesh, Eranna and Rathnakar, along with other police personnel, rushed to the court premises and initiated security measures.
The dog squad and the BDDS carried out a thorough search of various sections of the court complex. After detailed inspections, no explosive materials or suspicious objects were found, confirming that the threat was a hoax.
Court proceedings continue uninterrupted
Unlike the panic and confusion witnessed during a similar bomb threat received on June 22, the atmosphere at the court remained largely calm during the latest incident.
Lawyers and litigants observed the search operations with curiosity rather than alarm. Judges continued with court proceedings and did not step down from their benches.
When the search teams entered the court halls, advocates and clients were temporarily asked to move outside to facilitate the inspection. However, normal court proceedings resumed smoothly after the searches were completed.
The measured response reflected growing confidence among court staff and advocates after the previous bomb scare also turned out to be false.
Bizarre claims in threatening email
Police sources said the email, written in English, contained several bizarre political and religious conspiracy theories.
The sender made baseless allegations involving political personalities and claimed that the bomb threat was a retaliatory measure to stop certain alleged activities. The email also contained references to religious sentiments and unsubstantiated conspiracy claims.
Authorities have not disclosed the complete contents of the message, but investigators are examining the email as part of their efforts to identify the sender.
Investigation intensified
The latest incident comes just days after an anonymous email sent on June 22 triggered a major security operation at the same court complex.
With two hoax threats being received within a week, police have intensified their investigation to trace the origin of the emails and identify those responsible.
Cyber experts are also expected to assist in tracking the sender through digital footprints and email records.
Officials said that making hoax bomb threats is a serious offence and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for creating panic and disrupting public institutions.
The repeated threats have raised concerns over the misuse of electronic communication platforms and the need for enhanced cyber surveillance to prevent such incidents in the future.