Ahead of the 80th Independence Day on Saturday, the Delhi High Court received a bomb threat via email on Friday at around 11:43 am, prompting authorities to activate standard operating procedures and tighten security on the premises.
The email mentioned August 15 and carried a warning that read, “Lal Qila ka nishana hove ga” (the Red Fort will be targeted). It also referred to those allegedly carrying out the bombing as being dressed in khaki, apparently hinting that a uniformed person could be part of the alleged operation.
Following the threat, security measures were intensified at the court complex, with thorough checks being carried out at every security point. Real-time communication was established between the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court and the Delhi Police. A bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog teams and fire personnel were deployed as part of the security measures.
No suspicious object or explosive material has been found so far, and authorities subsequently declared the threat a hoax. Delhi High Court Joint Secretary and Advocate Kunal told ANI, “The bomb threat appears to be fake… Everything is under control. Bomb squad and sniffer dogs are scanning the entire premises. There is no threat as of now.”
Besides the Delhi High Court, bomb threat calls were also reported at several other locations in the national capital, including Jamnagar House, Jhandewalan Flatted Factory Complex, the MB Saket Office/DM Office, Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the SDM Office in Delhi Cantonment.
Fire tenders were dispatched to these locations as a precautionary measure. However, no suspicious object or explosive material has been found during the investigations so far.
This is not the first time that such threats have been received ahead of Independence Day. Security agencies remain on high alert across Delhi as the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day on August 15.