Delhi airport, high court, other sensitive locations receive bomb threat ahead of Independence Day

The Delhi high court on Friday (14 August) received a bomb threat, a security scare that comes amid tightened security across the city a day before the Independence Day. The threat was received through an email, HT learnt.

The email, with the subject line '30 MB Blast at the Delhi High Court', said that the blast would occur at 2.11 pm.

Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) Joint Secretary Kunal Malhotra said the threat appeared to be fake. "All precautions have been taken and necessary measures have been put in place," he added.

According to the Delhi Fire Service, bomb threat calls were received for five additional locations - Jamnagar House, Jhandewalan Flatted Factory Complex, MB Saket Office/DM Office, Terminal 3, IGI Airport and SDM Office, Delhi Cantt. Fire tenders have been dispatched to all these locations, news agency ANI reported.

Security Beefed Up Across Delhi

Security arrangements have been heightened across the city and other parts of the country in view of Independence Day, which India observes on 15 August.

Police personnel have been deployed at strategic points, while additional checking is being carried out at entry and exit routes. Security teams are also keeping a close watch on public places and areas that are expected to witness increased movement ahead of 15 August.

The security measures come ahead of the Independence Day celebrations in the capital, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation from the Red Fort on 15 August.

On 3 August, the Office of Delhi Mayor received a bomb threat for the eighth time, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi said. The Mayor's Office treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and immediately informed the concerned security agencies and the Delhi Police, following which security protocols were activated and necessary action was initiated, they said.

According to official information from the Mayor's Office, the threat was received via an anonymous email at 9.07 am, stating that a bomb would explode at 2.11 pm. Upon receiving the email, the Mayor's Office promptly alerted the relevant security agencies and the Delhi Police to ensure that all necessary precautionary measures were taken without delay.

On the same day, multiple schools across Delhi received bomb threats, triggering security checks by Delhi Police.

According to the authorities, all safety protocols were in place and no suspicious objects were found during the checks, news agency ANI reported.

On 31 July, the Gurugram deputy commissioner (DC) office, Haryana courts and a few schools received a bomb threat mail which later turned out to be a hoax. Following the email threat, police deployed bomb disposal squads and dog squads to the mini secretariat.

Sandeep Turan, Gurugram police spokesperson, said the threat email was received in the morning.