Delhi High Court Evacuated After Bomb Threat Email; Police Declare Scare a Hoax Amidst Pattern of False Alarms

Delhi High Court Evacuated After Bomb Threat Email; Police Declare Scare a Hoax Amidst Pattern of False Alarms

New Delhi, September 12, 2025 – Proceedings at the Delhi High Court came to an abrupt halt on Friday, September 12, 2025, following the receipt of a bomb threat via an official email. The incident triggered a high-alert response, necessitating the immediate evacuation of the court premises, including courtrooms, judges’ chambers, and all occupied areas, as emergency services launched a comprehensive search operation. While the threat was later declared a hoax by authorities, the event underscored a recurring challenge of managing such security scares that disrupt public institutions.

The Email and its Disturbing Content

The alarm was raised around 8:38 AM when the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court reportedly received an email warning of multiple explosives planted within the court complex. According to multiple sources, the message, allegedly sent from an ID under the name “Kanimozhi Thevidiya,” claimed that three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were hidden, with a specific mention that a device in the judge’s chamber was set to detonate “shortly after the Mid-Day Islamic prayers” or “after mid-day Friday prayers.” The email also stipulated an evacuation deadline of 2 PM.

Beyond the immediate threat, the communication contained a complex web of political rhetoric and conspiracy theories. It alleged connections between an individual, identified as a “smart and dynamic young Shia Muslim by the name Dr. Shah Faesal,” and Pakistan’s ISI cells in Coimbatore, with a stated intent to “recreate the 1998 blasts” in Patna. The sender also voiced political opinions, calling for a new secular leader and referencing the need to eliminate political heirs like Rahul Gandhi and Udhayanidhi Stalin, suggesting that threats of acid attacks on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s son, Inbanithi, were planned for the week. The email further claimed that “assets within the Police have been sown since 2017.”

Swift Evacuation and Extensive Search Operations

In response to the credible-sounding threat, judicial benches across the Delhi High Court rose immediately. Judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff were instructed to vacate the premises. Bomb detection and disposal squads, along with dog squads and a significant police presence, were swiftly deployed to the High Court. Fire tenders and ambulances were also positioned as precautionary measures. The entire court complex was cordoned off, and thorough combing and search operations commenced, creating scenes of confusion and urgency among those present.

The evacuation, though executed with procedural alacrity, led to considerable disruption. Hundreds of cases listed for the day had to be adjourned, impacting the administration of justice. The Delhi High Court Bar Association, represented by its President N Hariharan and Vice President Sacchin Puri, cooperated with security personnel, urging members to evacuate and ensuring a calm transition amidst the scare.

Declared a Hoax Amidst a Troubling Pattern

Following extensive searches lasting several hours, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla stated that the threat appeared to be a hoax, with nothing suspicious found. Bomb detection teams and dog squads conducted their checks as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and by late afternoon, the premises were given the all-clear. However, this incident is not an isolated one. In recent weeks, institutions like the Maulana Azad Medical College and the Delhi Chief Minister’s Secretariat also received similar bomb threats, which were similarly declared hoaxes.

Over the past year, more than 30 fake bomb threat emails have targeted various institutions across the capital, including schools, colleges, and hospitals. Police officials have frequently cited the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by senders as a significant hurdle in tracing and apprehending those responsible. While a few cases involving individuals who did not use VPNs have been resolved, the challenge of persistent, untraceable threats remains a concern.

Broader Context and Impact

The recurring nature of these threats, often dismissed as hoaxes, poses a substantial strain on law enforcement resources and causes significant disruption. For the judiciary, such incidents halt the crucial work of dispensing justice, with hundreds of cases being postponed and legal processes delayed. The psychological impact on court staff, lawyers, and the public, especially in light of the 2011 bomb blast at the Delhi High Court, cannot be understated. The simultaneous receipt of a similar threat at the Bombay High Court further highlighted a concerning trend.

As investigations into the origin of the Delhi High Court threat continue, authorities are grappling with the persistent challenge of identifying and stopping the individuals or groups responsible for these disruptive and costly false alarms. The recurrence of such incidents raises questions about the effectiveness of current cybersecurity measures and the resources dedicated to combating this specific form of targeted disruption.