Bomb scare halts court work

Incidentally, there was a similar call yesterday at the City Sessions Court, but the explosion date was given as January 5. So the police, after prolonged efforts to scan the bomb, let the court function as usual today.

Both lawyers and the cops were unwilling to take any chances. The peon, who picked up the phone at the registrar8217;s office at the Gheekanta court, contacted his boss who got in touch with Karanj police. The caller had reportedly said that he was an ISI agent and had planted bombs in four courts which would go off simultaneously.

In a drama no one would want to repeat, Karanj police swung into action, vacating the premises by 6.30 pm yesterday. Entries points were sealed and the premises taken 8220;possession of and screening for the bombs continued until 1 pm today.

Many feel the joke, if it is one, has gone too far and there is drastic need for an 8220;alternative arrangement.8221; Says Ahmedabad Criminal Court Bar Association president Hiralal Gupta, 8220;There has to be a more feasible arrangement. The police should tap these calls and there should be detectors placed within the court premises. Even a day8217;s closure affects thousands of people. How can it go on indefinitely8221;?

There has been a shutdown each time such calls have been received 8212; and they have been quite frequent in the last few months. Says advocate Rajesh Sehjani, 8220;this nuisance has been going on since the last couple of months. It is getting more and more frequent.8221;

No one, however, is sure how to bell the calling cat. 8220;How can we not take it seriously?8221; asks Karanj PI S K Macwan. 8220;The peon, who received the phone call, was interrogated. But the caller had left no name. We are investigating and have written to the Telephone Department asking them if it is possible to get information about the particular call.8221;

So things will be back to square one every time there is bomb hoax. An agitated Paresh Desai, senior public prosecutor, says, 8220;I was present when Macwan came to the court and wanted to meet the CMM. We were surprised to hear that the police had decided to take possession of the court. I think somebody is playing a mischief to disrupt public life. Tell me, if someone was really serious about doing it, would he warn the people?8221;

But the point still remains: Can anyone afford to ignore such calls?Additional public prosecutor at the City Civil and Sessions Court, Sudhir Brahmbhatt, narrating an earlier incident says, 8220;Last November the Registrar got an anonymous letter saying the court would be bombed on December 1. There was full bandobast on that day too. The whole day there was checking and the court had to remain shut.8221;

Bomb or no bomb, neither does anyone want to die and nor the police want to be blamed for inadequate action. So unless the anonymous callers change their style of humour, it seems they will continue to be taken seriously.