An image of Karnataka High Court’s Circuit Bench in Dharwad.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
A bomb threat email was sent to the Karnataka High Court’s Dharwad Bench, Bengaluru South district court, and the district courts in Mandya, Madikeri and Mangaluru, prompting authorities to conduct extensive search operations on Monday (February 16, 2026), police said. However, the threat emails turned out to be hoax.
The police said an email was sent to Bengaluru court with copies to other district court complexes threatening of explosion.
As a precautionary measure, lawyers and staff were evacuated from the court complex buildings in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Mangaluru, Mandya and Kodagu districts, they said. Security personnel cordoned off the premises and carried out thorough checks, police said.
Court premises evacuated
In Dharwad, Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya visited the spot and inspected the High Court premises following the threat. Police launched a comprehensive search operation, and as a precautionary measure, everyone was evacuated from the building.
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According to police, personnel from the bomb squad also reached the scene and continued the inspection.
Speaking to reporters in Dharwad, Arya said, “We are conducting a full inspection. Only our personnel are inside. The email message says the explosion would occur at 1:15 pm. We are gathering more information about the remaining details. The message also contains references to different states, so we cannot share further information at this moment.”
In Mandya and Kodagu, court proceedings were suspended following the bomb threat email. Judges, lawyers, litigants, and members of the public were evacuated from the court complex premises as a precautionary measure.
“The threat has turned out to be a hoax. We have registered a case and are investigating the matter,” said Kodagu Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani R.N.
In Mangaluru, too, the city police carried out a thorough search of the district court complex. In a statement, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the threat was found to be hoax. “The proceedings in the court complex went on as usual. A case was registered with the Mangaluru North Police Station,” Mr. Reddy said.
Further investigation is underway.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – February 16, 2026 03:31 pm IST
