New Delhi [India]: More than 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threats via email on December 8, with the sender demanding a ransom of USD 30,000, the Delhi Police reported. The threatening email warned that multiple bombs had been planted inside the schools, claiming that while the bombs were small and well-hidden, they would cause injuries when detonated. The email included the threat of detonation unless the ransom was paid.
The threat, received around 11:38 pm on December 8, targeted several prominent schools in the national capital. Among those that reported bomb threats were Mother Mary’s School, British School, Salwan Public School, and Cambridge School.
At Mother Mary’s School, the administration took immediate action following the threat, dispersing students as a precautionary measure. The school notified parents, advising them to collect their children directly from their respective bus stops. Similar measures were adopted by other schools, with affected parents being kept informed about the situation.
Delhi Chief Minister and Opposition Criticize Law and Order Situation
In response to the bomb threats, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi attacked the BJP-led central government, accusing it of failing to ensure the safety and security of Delhi’s citizens. She posted on X, “After the daily incidents of ransom, murders, firing in Delhi, now threats of bombing of schools are being received. The law and order situation in Delhi has never been so bad before. The BJP-ruled central government has failed in its only task of providing security to the people of Delhi.“
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the situation, criticizing Union Home Minister Amit Shah for what he described as the deteriorating law and order in the city. He posted on X, “The people of Delhi have never seen such a bad state of law and order in Delhi before. Amit Shah ji should come and answer the people of Delhi.“
Previous Incidents and Legal Directives
Earlier, schools such as Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka Public School in Paschim Vihar had also received bomb threats. Following these threats, the schools took swift action, sending students home while notifying the police and Fire Department.
The Delhi High Court had previously directed the Delhi Government and Delhi Police on November 19 to create a comprehensive action plan to address bomb threats and related emergencies, including the establishment of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The Court set an eight-week deadline for completing these directives.