A wave of panic swept through the MP Nagar area on Monday morning after the Weights and Measures Department received a chilling email threatening to blow up the office using cyanide gas. The threat, which claimed that 16 cylinders filled with toxic gas were primed to explode at 1 pm, turned out to be a hoax after an intensive two-hour search by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS). This incident marks the third high-profile hoax threat received by city institutions in recent weeks, following similar incidents at AIIMS Bhopal and People’s University. Detailed ultimatum in email: The departmental email ID received the message early Monday, stating that 16 cylinders filled with cyanide gas had been planted within the premises. The sender directed the administration to evacuate all employees and nearby residents by 12:10 pm, warning that the explosion was timed for 1 pm. Terrified employees, including a large number of women staff, rushed out of the building as soon as the news spread. Senior officials immediately alerted the police, bringing the entire administrative machinery into action.

 

ACP Manish Bhardwaj and MP Nagar Station House Officer (SHO) Jai Hind Sharma arrived at the spot with the Bomb Disposal Squad, dog squads, and other security agencies. The entire building was cordoned off, and every room, storehouse, and corner was meticulously scanned. “Our teams conducted a thorough sweep of the premises for over two hours. No suspicious cylinders, explosives, or any gas-related hazardous material were found,” said ACP Bhardwaj. Investigating officers noted that the style of the threat mirrors the previous emails sent to AIIMS Bhopal and People’s University. In those instances as well, the information proved to be false after causing significant operational disruption and public fear. SHO Jai Hind Sharma confirmed that the Cyber Cell has been roped in to trace the origin of the email. “We are analyzing the IP address and digital footprints of the sender. The primary investigation suggests this is a prank intended to create public disorder, but we are treating it with the utmost seriousness,” Sharma added.