High Court Bomb Threat Investigation: File Registered in Chandigarh Two Days After Bogus Bomb Alert
In a significant development, the Chandigarh Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Saturday under sections pertaining to cyber terrorism and criminal intimidation. This follows a high-alert security situation escalated by a threatening email warning of multiple RDX-based improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The email, received on Thursday at 9:44 am by the coordination branch of the high court, had been sent from the ID [email protected]. It claimed that six critical IEDs had been planted on the court premises, timed to explode at 3:15 pm.
Upon investigation, the IP address was traced to France, and the email ID was found to have been created in the United States. The subject line of the email read: "6 Critical RDX IEDs Placed in Punjab HC Tiruvallur Collectorate - Evacuate All by 3:15 PM | Eelam plus Dravida Nadu".
The email allegedly mentioned a coordinated plan to assassinate Tamil Nadu leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, as well as judicial and administrative officers involved in inquiries related to a high-profile narcotics and corruption nexus involving Kollywood celebrities, rogue IPS officers, and international surveillance tools such as RC-S Galileo.
The sender claimed to be Singer Kovan, alias S Sivadas, a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu known for his politically charged songs and activism. However, the available sources do not indicate any alleged connection between Kovan and the bomb threat at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The FIR was lodged at the Sector 3 police station under Section 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(F) of the IT Act against unknown persons. The Chandigarh Police Control Room alerted inspector Narinder Singh, station house officer of the said police station, around 11.01 am on Thursday regarding the possible bomb threat in the court's complex. Authorities are currently investigating the authenticity of the threats and tracing the sender's identity.
- The international implications of the incident extend beyond India as the IP address linked to the threatening email was traced to France, and the email ID was created in the United States.
- Amidst the general-news of this cybersecurity concern, politics also seems to intertwine with the alleged sender, Singer Kovan, being a prominent figure known for his politically charged songs and activism.
- As the cybercrime investigation unfolds, connections to crime-and-justice issues such as narcotics and corruption scandals involving Kollywood celebrities, rogue IPS officers, and international surveillance tools may come to light.
