Bomb Scare at Patiala House Court Precedes Key Hearing in Delhi

A bomb threat directed at Patiala House Court in Delhi caused panic on Tuesday, resulting in evacuations and a swift security response across multiple judicial complexes, including Saket and Tis Hazari courts. This incident coincided with the scheduled appearance of Jasir Bilal Wani, a co-accused in the Red Fort blast case, before the Principal Sessions Judge.

Authorities have since identified all three threats as hoaxes, yet the incident raises significant concerns as investigators delve deeper into the November 10 terror plot that resulted in over 10 fatalities.

Panic Unfolds at Patiala House Court

An email alerting of a bomb at Patiala House Court was received just hours before Wani's court appearance, prompting the deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Delhi Police, and bomb disposal teams, who thoroughly examined the area.

Security measures were considerably increased as Jasir Bilal Wani, also referred to as Danish, was brought into the court following his arrest by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. He was apprehended along with his uncle over the weekend.

Despite the alarming situation, court proceedings resumed, and Wani was remanded into the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for an extended period of 10 days.

Similar Threats to Saket and Tis Hazari Courts

Following the incident at Patiala House, similar bomb threat emails were reported at Saket Court and Tis Hazari Court.

Anil Basoya, secretary of the Saket Bar Association, mentioned that court functions were halted for approximately two hours as security forces conducted sweeps of the premises.
Tis Hazari officials also confirmed the receipt of bomb threat emails.

Tarun Rana, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association, noted that multiple district court complexes were targeted, although all threats were later deemed false.

“There’s no need for alarm. Functions at the courts are resuming as normal,” he stated.

The Background of the Red Fort Blast Case

These bomb threats emerge during critical developments concerning the Red Fort blast investigation, shedding light on a broader terror network linked to the November 10 attack that claimed over ten lives.

The NIA recently apprehended Jasir Bilal Wani, who reportedly had links to the primary accused, Dr. Umar un Nabi, now identified as a potential suicide bomber. Wani initially distanced himself from direct involvement in suicide missions but continued to support the extremist network.

Wani's family resides next to the brothers Dr. Adil and Dr. Muzaffar Rather, who are crucial figures within the Faridabad terror module. Adil has already been arrested in Uttar Pradesh, while Muzaffar is currently at large.

The explosion resulted from an IED planted in a Hyundai i20, detonated at a traffic signal close to the Red Fort, with investigations confirming Dr. Umar un Nabi as the driver at the time of the blast.

Unraveling the Hoax

While the bomb threats were ultimately false alarms, their timing coinciding with Wani's court appearance raises questions. Authorities are investigating whether it was an attempt to create chaos, distract law enforcement, or induce fear in the public.

Investigators are in the process of tracing the emails' origins to determine a potential link to the terror module or if they were merely intended to cause disruption during a sensitive investigation.

Future Implications

Efforts to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy surrounding the Red Fort blast continue, including inquiries into:

• Whether further individuals have been radicalized

• The possibility of external operatives

• Origins and transport protocols for explosives

• Connections to previous suicide bombing configurations

With the situation evolving, additional arrests are anticipated in the immediate future.