Panic gripped the national capital’s legal corridors on Tuesday as three major district court complexes—Patiala House, Saket, and Tis Hazari—received bomb threats via email. The threats, which triggered immediate security protocols and a temporary suspension of work, arrived just hours before the scheduled production of a key accused in the deadly Red Fort bomb blast case.
Security Scare and Court Response
The alarms were raised at the Patiala House Court, Saket Court, and Tis Hazari Court following the receipt of threatening emails. In response, security agencies swung into action, deploying Bomb Disposal Squads and dog squads to sweep the premises.
At the Patiala House Court, the threat carried significant weight as it coincided with the scheduled appearance of Jasir Bilal Wani, the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) second arrest in connection with the November 10 Red Fort blast. Anticipating high risks, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed outside the court premises to maintain order and safety.
Advocate Anil Basoya, Secretary of the Saket Bar Association, confirmed the disruption, stating that court operations were suspended for two hours while security checks were conducted. Once the premises were declared safe, operations resumed.
Similarly, Advocate Tarun Rana, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association, confirmed that the threats received via email were ultimately determined to be hoaxes. He assured that the situation was under control, noting that there was “no element of fear” and that the courts were functioning smoothly following the clearance.
The Red Fort Blast Connection
The security scare unfolded against the backdrop of the high-profile investigation into the November 10 Red Fort bomb blast, a tragedy that claimed over 10 lives.
Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, was set to appear before the Principal Sessions Judge at Patiala House on Tuesday. Hailing from Qazigund, Wani was apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with his uncle for questioning on Saturday. His arrest is linked to the recent busting of the Faridabad terror module.
Investigators have established a link between the Wanis and the alleged “doctor brothers” of the terror module—Adil Rather and Muzaffar Rather. The Wanis are reportedly neighbors of the brothers. While Muzaffar Rather remains absconding, Adil Rather was arrested earlier this month in Uttar Pradesh for his alleged role in pasting warning posters attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammad in Nowgam.
Despite the morning’s chaos, authorities have confirmed that the security apparatus at the district courts remains on high alert to ensure the safety of the judiciary, legal professionals, and litigants.
