Threat letter triggers bomb scare at Chandigarh, Panchkula district courts

A threat letter about the presence of bombs at the Inter-State Bus Terminus and District Court Complex in Sector 43, Chandigarh, and the Panchkula district courts on Tuesday, two days before Republic Day sent alarm bells ringing.

However, the threat turned out to be a hoax, as no suspicious item was found at any of the three locations.

Search operations were carried out after the Panchkula police control room (PCR) alerted the Chandigarh PCR about the letter.

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At the Sector-43 court complex, judges, advocates, clerical staff and visitors were evacuated, and the area was cordoned off.

“An unclaimed bag containing a water bottle and a tiffin was found at the complex, but there were no explosives,” said Chandigarh senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manisha Choudhary after a four-hour search.

The bomb detection squads also conducted searches at the adjoining Sector 43 ISBT, and Punjab and Haryana high court, but did not find any explosive, she said.

“To ensure no slip-up amid the security alert in the run-up to Republic Day, the army has been asked to check,” the SSP added.

UT director general of police (DGP) Praveer Ranjan was also present to monitor the police teams. Police security at the high court has been increased.

In a statement issued later, the Chandigarh Police said around 11.01 am on Tuesday, a call was received at the Chandigarh PCR from the Panchkula PCR regarding information of a bomb/terrorist attack at the District Court Complex and bus stand in Sector 43.

Upon receipt of this information, teams of local police stations, operation cell, PCR, bomb detection squad, traffic police and senior officers immediately rushed to the high court, district courts, and bus stands in Sectors 17 and 43.

The district court complex was evacuated promptly and during the anti-sabotage check, an abandoned tiffin box was found. It was isolated and the area was cordoned off for safety purposes. The suspected article was examined with the help of technical equipment and sniffer dogs by bomb detection squads of Chandigarh Police, Punjab Police and Army HQ of Chandigarh, and no explosive item was found.

Letter found in advocates chambers in P’kula court complex

As per information shared by Panchkula police, the threat letter was found by an advocate in a toilet of the advocates’ chambers at the Panchkula District Court Complex in Sector 1.

The advocate alerted the police, following which teams led by senior officials, including DCP Sumer Partap Singh, ACP Surender Kumar Yadav and Sector 7 SHO inspector Hari Ram, along with court’s security in-charge Rakesh Kumar, reached the spot.

“The letter mentioned that by 1 pm, blasts will occur at the bus stand and District Court Complex in Chandigarh’s Sector 43 and the court complex in Panchkula. We immediately alerted Chandigarh Police and launched a search operation at the Panchkula courts,” the ACP said.

However, nothing suspicious was found. The ACP said the police investigation will continue: “We are scanning all CCTV cameras and the search operation is on.”

DCP Sumer Partap Singh requested the citizens to stay alert and inform police about any suspicious item.

In December 2021, one person had died and six others were injured after an explosion in a toilet of the district courts in Panchkula.