Bomb Threat at Gujarat High Court Sparks Panic and Massive Evacuation

Table of Contents

📌 Introduction: A Day of Unrest in Gujarat’s Judicial Heart

What began as a routine morning at the Gujarat High Court in Ahmedabad quickly descended into panic and confusion on June 24, 2025, as a bomb threat was received through an anonymous phone call. The court premises, packed with judges, lawyers, litigants, and staff, was swiftly evacuated, and security forces cordoned off the area. While no explosive was ultimately found, the incident sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s legal and administrative system.

In this blog, we present a comprehensive report on the Gujarat High Court bomb threat, examining the timeline of events, security response, legal implications, eyewitness accounts, and what this means for court security in India.

Timeline of the Incident: Minute-by-Minute Breakdown

9:10 AM – Anonymous Call Received

The court’s security desk received a call warning that a bomb had been planted inside the premises.
The caller did not specify the location or type of explosive.
The call was traced to a number reportedly from outside Gujarat, later suspected to be a spoofed VoIP line.

9:15 AM – Alert Issued

Security officials informed the Gujarat Police and the ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) immediately.
The Registrar General ordered a halt of proceedings.
Evacuation of courtrooms and offices began.

🚨 9:30 AM – Police and Bomb Squad Arrive

Teams from the Gujarat Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and dog squads reached the spot.
Sniffer dogs were deployed across the court building, including chambers, waiting areas, parking lots, and public corridors.

🚧 10:15 AM – Entire Court Cordoned Off

The entire 25-acre complex was evacuated and sealed.
Entry of new personnel, media, and advocates was strictly restricted.
Around 1,000 people were escorted outside in an orderly but tense manner.

🔍 11:45 AM – No Explosive Found

After nearly two hours of inspection, no suspicious object was found.
The call was declared a hoax but investigations were intensified.

🛡️ Security Response: Multi-Agency Operation Gujarat High Court

🚓 1. Gujarat Police

Senior officers including the Commissioner of Police (Ahmedabad) arrived on-site.
Cybercrime teams began tracing the call’s origin.

🐾 2. Bomb Disposal & Dog Squad

Deployed in multiple teams.
Checked cars, bikes, lockers, bins, ceiling panels, and utility ducts.

🕵️ 3. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)

Took over the cyber investigation.
Coordinated with central intelligence agencies to cross-check threats received in other states.

🛰️ 4. Intelligence Bureau Involvement

Inputs from IB and RAW were taken seriously, especially with the Independence Day security protocol just weeks away.

⚖️ Impact on Judicial Proceedings

1. Case Hearings Cancelled

More than 320 cases scheduled for the day were postponed.
Judges were advised to remain in their chambers or leave the premises.

📜 2. Lawyers & Litigants Affected

Several urgent bail applications, including criminal matters, remained unheard.
Advocates expressed concern over loss of crucial hearing days.

3. Statement from the Registrar General

“The safety of court personnel and litigants is our utmost priority. We followed all protocols. Proceedings will resume tomorrow with enhanced security.”

📷 Eyewitness Accounts: Fear, Chaos, and Quick Action

Advocate Ramesh Solanki

“We thought it was a fire drill at first. Then we saw police with sniffer dogs. That’s when the panic started.”

Court Clerk Nidhi Shah

“I left behind my bag, files, everything. We just ran when the security asked us to leave.”

Senior Counsel Priya Mehta

“The evacuation was done swiftly, but such incidents highlight the vulnerability of our judicial infrastructure.”

🧠 Was It a Hoax or a Dry Run? Investigation Insights

Police and forensic experts suspect the bomb threat could be a dry run, a tactic often used by anti-social elements to test response time and preparedness.

🔍 Key Investigation Leads:

VoIP call traced to a number routed through Eastern Europe.
No CCTV footage from the immediate vicinity showed any suspicious activity.
Intelligence agencies are probing connections to recent similar threats received by courts in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

🛡️ Court Security: Where Do We Stand?

Current Security Setup at Gujarat High Court:

Entry through biometric pass system for advocates.
Manual checking for litigants and visitors.
Limited presence of metal detectors and baggage scanners.

⚠️ Gaps Identified:

No X-ray baggage scanners at entry gates.
No facial recognition systems.
Old CCTV systems with poor night vision capabilities.

✅ Suggestions Proposed:

Installation of AI-based surveillance systems.
Deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) inside court premises.
Regular mock drills and awareness sessions.

🌐 Similar Incidents in Recent Times

Date	Location	Nature of Threat	Action Taken
March 2025	Bombay High Court	Email bomb threat	Found hoax
January 2024	Delhi HC	Fake bomb tip-off	Evacuated
October 2023	Patna Civil Court	Suspicious package	False alarm

Pattern: Anonymous threats targeting judicial buildings have been increasing, prompting a nationwide review of court security protocols.

Political & Legal Reactions

Chief Minister of Gujarat

“This is a serious breach of public order. Culprits will be brought to justice.”

Gujarat Bar Council

Demanded installation of advanced threat-detection systems.
Urged the judiciary to not treat this as an isolated event.

Legal Commentators

Highlighted how court complexes remain soft targets despite repeated warnings.

💬 Gujarat High Court Public Reaction & Social Media Buzz

🧵 Trending Hashtags:

#GujaratHighCourt
#BombThreat
#HCAlert
#JudiciaryUnderThreat

📱 Notable Tweets:

“Just came out of Gujarat High Court. Everyone evacuated. Praying it’s a hoax. #BombThreat” – @lawyerRishi

“Time to modernize our court security. We can’t gamble with judicial safety. #SurakshaFirst” – @civicwatch

🧾 Legal Implications for the Culprit

If caught, the accused may be charged under:

Section 505(1)(b) IPC – Statements creating fear/alarm.
Section 507 IPC – Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication.
Section 66F of the IT Act – Cyber terrorism (if VoIP/masked call used).
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) – If terror links established.

Punishment: Up to 10 years in prison or life imprisonment in case of proven terror intent.

What Happens Next?

Immediate Actions :

Security audit of all court buildings across Gujarat.
Training of security personnel.
Police to keep high alert status for a week.

Long-Term Measures :

Creation of a centralized security body for courts across India.
Mandatory bomb threat response plans for all judiciary buildings.
Integration of National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) for quick tracking of threat sources.

💬 FAQs – Gujarat High Court Bomb Threat

Q1. Was a bomb actually found at Gujarat High Court?

No. After full investigation, no explosive material was found. The call was declared a hoax.

Q2. Who made the bomb threat?

The call is believed to be made via a spoofed internet line. The investigation is ongoing.

Q3. Were any arrests made?

As of now, no arrests have been confirmed. Police are tracing the VoIP source.

Q4. Are courts functioning normally now?

Yes, court operations resumed under tight security the next day.

✅ Conclusion: A Warning, Gujarat High Court Not Just a Wake-Up Call

The Gujarat High Court bomb threat is not merely a disruptive hoax. It is a clear signal of the evolving nature of threats that India’s critical institutions face. While the judicial system remains strong, the infrastructure protecting it must evolve, too.

Whether or not the threat was real, the fear it caused was. And that fear deserves a response — not just in rhetoric, but in resilience.