A wave of fear and uncertainty swept through Punjab’s judicial system on Thursday morning after a bomb threat email forced the emergency evacuation of court complexes in Ropar and Anandpur Sahib. The threatening message warned of an attempt to blow up the Ropar judicial complex, prompting authorities to act swiftly to safeguard lives and property.
As soon as the email was received by judicial officials, the matter was reported to the police. Security agencies immediately moved into action, ordering the evacuation of all courtrooms and offices within the Ropar complex. Lawyers, litigants, court staff, and members of the public were asked to leave the premises, bringing judicial proceedings to an abrupt halt.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion and anxiety as word of the threat spread. People who had come for hearings or legal work hurried out of the building, while police personnel secured the area and restricted movement around the complex. Access roads were closely monitored to prevent any potential security breach.
Authorities did not limit their response to Ropar alone. As a precaution, the judicial complex in Anandpur Sahib was also evacuated, amid fears that the threat could be part of a wider or coordinated attempt. Police teams were deployed at both locations to carry out detailed checks and ensure public safety.
Bomb disposal squads and other security agencies conducted thorough searches of the premises, following standard safety protocols. Officials confirmed that no suspicious object had been found so far, but security forces continued to scan the area before allowing any return to normalcy.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Khurana said an investigation was underway. He confirmed that the police had received information about a bomb threat through email and had immediately taken all necessary security measures. Cybercrime teams have also been engaged to trace the origin of the email and identify those behind the threat.
Court operations at both Ropar and Anandpur Sahib will resume only after security agencies give formal clearance. The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of public institutions to hoax threats and the disruption such messages can cause, even when no explosive device is ultimately found.