05 November,2024 01:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
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A special NIA court in Mumbai, currently conducting the final hearings in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, received a bomb threat, the official sources said.
Following the incident, the presiding judges have written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, requesting enhanced security for their residences.
According to police sources, on October 30, a threatening call was received at the registrar's office of the Mumbai Sessions Court, claiming the special NIA court would be blown up.
In response to the threat, a team from Colaba Police Station, along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), arrived at the court premises to conduct a thorough investigation. The threat specifically targeted Courtroom 26, which is handling the Malegaon case.
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After the threat, judges of the special NIA court jointly addressed a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, emphasising the need for increased security at their homes.
The letter stated that given their daily involvement in sensitive terrorism-related cases, the safety of both the judges and their families should be prioritised.
Consequently, they requested Mumbai Police to bolster security around their residences.
Senior Public Prosecutor Adv. Avinash Rasal, who is handling the Malegaon Blast case, expressed his concern over the recent bomb threat to the NIA court. "Most cases related to national security and terrorism are heard in Mumbai's NIA court, making such threats deeply concerning. The investigating agency must ensure the safety of all judiciary members, lawyers, and witnesses attending these courts. Previously, I had Y+ category security, which has now been downgraded to X category. Our demand is that these cases be taken seriously, and all necessary actions to ensure security should be implemented," he stated.
Mumbai Police stated that no such complaints have been made to them so far. However, sources indicated that the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) visited the court on October 30. "No such complaint has been registered with Colaba Police Station," said Pravin Munde, DCP Zone 1.
