Cuttack, Jan 8: Normal proceedings resumed at the High Court on Thursday after a thorough security check by the bomb squad, dog squad, and police. The Chief Justice, along with three other judges, began hearing cases once the premises were declared safe.

Advocate General Pitambar Acharya clarified that the bomb threat received via email was a hoax. He said the matter had been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, who has ordered an investigation. Assuring the public of safety, the AG stated that the court premises is fully secure and there is no cause for panic. The Director General of Police also met the Chief Justice to discuss the situation. Preliminary findings suggest that the threatening email originated from Tamil Nadu. Court work is continuing without any disruption.

According to sources, the High Court was functioning normally from Thursday morning, with the number of lawyers gradually increasing. However, around noon, reports surfaced about a threatening email warning of a bomb at the court. The message triggered panic, leading to the immediate evacuation of staff, lawyers, and litigants. Within half an hour, the entire court premises were cleared.

Subsequently, anti-bomb squads and police personnel carried out an extensive search of the premises using metal detectors and sniffer dogs. No explosives or suspicious items were found during the operation.