Hoax bomb threat to Vellore Collectorate

A bomb squad combed the Collectorate office on Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Vellore over a hoax bomb threat issued through e-mail on Saturday.

Police said the threat, received through an email to Vellore Collectorate around 2.45 p.m, warned of a possible explosion at the Collectorate office, leading to swift action by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS).

The Collectorate complex houses critical government departments such as the District Collector’s office, District Revenue Office, Civil Supplies Department, Department of Geology and Mining, and the Agriculture Department.

The building complex also accommodates public service offices including the District Consumer Forum, Department of Social Welfare, Land Tax Department, and the Tamil Development Department.

Given the large number of departments functioning within the premises, the Collectorate witnesses heavy footfall every day, with hundreds of citizens visiting for various official purposes.

Following the bomb threat, the BDDS teams, assisted by sniffer dogs, conducted search operations in and around the premises — including parking lots and corridors at the Collectorate. The team did not detect any potential explosive devices. A case was registered by Sathuvachari police. A probe is underway.