Bomb Threat Emails Trigger Panic, Evacuations at Courts in Cuttack, Puri and Phulbani

Bhubaneswar: Panic gripped several district court complexes in Odisha on Thursday after anonymous emails warning of bomb threats were received at courts in Cuttack, Phulbani, and Puri, prompting large-scale security responses and temporary disruption of judicial proceedings.

According to official sources, the threatening emails claimed that explosive devices had been planted within the court premises. The messages triggered immediate alarm among judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants, leading authorities to swiftly evacuate the buildings as a precautionary measure.

Police teams, along with bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog units, conducted intensive searches across the court campuses. Entry and exit points were sealed, vehicles were checked, and all corners of the premises were thoroughly inspected as part of the security sweep.

“As soon as we received information about the bomb threat, we rushed to the court campus and evacuated the premises. Every corner is being examined with the help of local police, bomb squad personnel and sniffer dogs. All vehicles were frisked and the campus is being sanitised. We are trying to resume court proceedings very soon,” said Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh.

Cyber experts from the Crime Branch have joined the investigation to trace the origin of the emails. Efforts are underway to track the IP address and identify those responsible for sending the threats.

As of the latest reports, no explosives or suspicious objects were found at any of the court complexes. Police suspect the threats may be part of a recurring pattern, as similar hoax emails had targeted multiple courts across Odisha last month, including in Cuttack, Sambalpur and Deogarh.

Authorities remain on alert, and security has been tightened at court establishments as investigations continue.