Bomb Scare at Delhi High Court: Panic After Email Threat, Police Say It Was a Hoax

New Delhi, September 12, 2025 — A shocking bomb scare shook the Delhi High Court on Friday morning. The court was evacuated after an email claimed that a bomb would go off inside a judge’s chamber. The panic spread quickly among judges, lawyers, and court staff. Within hours, Delhi Police declared the threat a hoax. Still, the incident left behind fear, confusion, and questions about the growing number of such false threats in the city.

Early morning panic

The day started like any other for the High Court. By 9 am, the court complex was busy. Lawyers walked in with files, clerks carried bundles of documents, and security guards kept watch. But the calm atmosphere did not last long.

At about 8:40 am, officials received a threatening email. The message claimed that a bomb had been planted in the chamber of one of the judges. The email did not name the judge. It also gave a chilling warning that the blast would happen soon after Friday prayers (Namaz).

The Registrar General and other top officers of the High Court quickly informed the police. The decision was taken to vacate the court immediately. Judges were asked to leave their chambers. Courtrooms were closed. Lawyers and litigants were rushed out of the building.

Evacuation of the court

The evacuation was done in a hurry but with caution. Security officials guided people towards exits. Some staff were nervous, while others remained calm. The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) also stepped in to assist. They spread word among lawyers and helped move people outside.

Eyewitnesses said there was some confusion at the gates. Many people tried to leave at once, causing a bit of a jam. Some fire tenders and security vans also faced delays in entering the complex because of this rush.

By mid-morning, most of the court building was empty. Judges, lawyers, staff, and litigants stood outside in groups. Many of them discussed the possibility of the threat being real, remembering past tragedies. Some recalled the 2011 Delhi High Court bombing, which had killed 15 people and injured many. That memory made this threat even scarier.

Heavy security checks

Once the building was clear, security agencies swung into action. The Delhi Police special cell, the fire department, CRPF personnel, and bomb disposal squads entered the premises. Sniffer dogs were also deployed.

Every corner of the court complex was searched. The judges’ lounge, courtrooms, chambers, library, and parking lots were carefully checked. Security officials went floor by floor, room by room.

The search operation continued for almost five hours. At around 1:40 pm, the entire complex was declared safe. Not a single explosive or suspicious object was found.

Court resumes after clearance

After the security clearance, officials allowed the court to reopen. At about 2:30 pm, court proceedings resumed. Judges returned to their benches, and lawyers got back to work. But the schedule of the day was badly disturbed. Many cases had to be adjourned or delayed.

What was in the email?

The email that caused all this chaos was full of disturbing claims. It mentioned political figures like Rahul Gandhi and Udhayanidhi Stalin. It spoke of conspiracies linked with Pakistan’s ISI. It threatened violence against families of politicians and said that the Delhi High Court was a target.

The email also mentioned an old terror attack — the 1998 Patna blasts. It claimed that a similar incident would be “recreated” in Delhi. It even gave the name and phone number of a supposed contact person who allegedly knew about bomb defusing codes.

Police later confirmed that no such information turned out to be true. The mail was most likely sent to create panic and disturb the functioning of the court.

Police call it a hoax

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla told reporters that nothing dangerous was found. “It was a hoax,” he said. He added that the police were investigating who sent the email and from where.

Experts believe the sender may have used a VPN or fake email services to hide their identity. Forensic teams are now tracking the digital footprint of the message.

Rising number of hoax threats

This was not the first such incident in Delhi this year. In recent months, several schools, hospitals, and government buildings have also received bomb threats by email. Most of them turned out to be false alarms.

Each time such a threat arrives, security agencies must act seriously. They cannot take chances, as even one real bomb could cause massive destruction. But this also means that a lot of time, money, and resources are wasted whenever hoax threats are made.

Officials worry that repeated hoaxes could weaken security responses over time. People may start to ignore them, which can be very dangerous if a real threat appears.

Fear among people

Although the police later assured everyone that it was a hoax, the fear remained. Lawyers said they felt uneasy returning to their courtrooms after the incident. Staff members whispered about the email for the rest of the day.

A senior advocate said, “We remember what happened in 2011. Even if the police call it a hoax, we cannot take these threats lightly.”

Litigants who had cases scheduled for the day were also upset. Many had traveled long distances only to see their hearings postponed.

Questions still unanswered

The most important question now is: who sent the email?

• Was it just a mischief maker trying to create panic?
• Or was there a larger plan behind it?
• Could it be part of a chain of hoax threats that have been troubling Delhi recently?

Police say investigations are on. They are also coordinating with cybercrime experts to trace the source. Until then, the identity of the sender remains a mystery.

Conclusion

The Delhi High Court bomb scare shows how a single email can paralyze one of the country’s busiest courts. It wasted hours of judicial work, caused panic among thousands of people, and raised serious questions about security.

While it turned out to be a hoax, the fear it spread was real. The incident highlights the need for stronger cyber tracking, faster coordination during emergencies, and better awareness among the public.

For now, the Delhi High Court is safe. But the memory of Friday morning’s scare will stay fresh in the minds of judges, lawyers, and staff for a long time.