Janjivan Bureau / Ludhiana : Two persons were killed and several injured in a blast at the district courts complex here on Thursday. The blast took place in a toilet on the third floor in the old building around 12.25 pm. Two courtrooms are located near the toilet. The blast damaged the roof and walls of the toilet. Following the explosion, the bathroom grill fell on the vehicles parked on the ground floor.According to sources NIA team from Delhi left for the spot.
Hundreds of litigants with their attendants visit the court complex daily. Luckily, lawyers’ chambers are located in the new building.
Since lawyers were observing a strike on Thurday, there was not much footfall of litigants and their attendants at the court.
The entire court complex was vacated, and the judges suspended their work.
Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar is leading the investigation as forensic experts and dog squads also reached the spot. Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma also reached the spot.
Commissioner Bhullar confirmed one death and two injuries in the blast.
The District Administrative Complex was evacuated on directions of the Deputy Commissioner. All government offices in the district would be thoroughly checked, the DC said.
All four adjoining six-storey buildings of the district courts complex have been cordoned off with heavy police force deployed there.
The NIA has rushed a two-member team from Chandigarh to probe the incident.
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is scheduled to visit Mullanpur Dakha in Ludhiana, on Thursday afternoon, is likely to visit the blast site shortly.
Channi said as the Assembly elections in the state were approaching, some anti-national elements were indulging in terror activities.
“Since they failed to succeed in their nefarious designs while committing the recent sacrilege incidents, they are now creating terror,” he said.
Channi said stern action would be taken against those trying to disturb law and order in the state.
Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa is also rushing to Ludhiana.
Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is a local MLA, suspected a suicide bomber behind the blast. He visited the spot.
Meanwhile, a major security lapse has come to fore as entry and exit to district courts complex remained unchecked and free for all. Having multiple entrance points, around five, the old building of the district courts complex has no metal detectors working to check the entry of anti-social elements.
