India, Sept. 13 -- Proceedings at the Bombay High Court were stalled for two hours on Friday after an email sent to the court's official email address threatened the iconic court building would be blown up. All court staff, lawyers and litigants were asked to vacate the court premises around 1pm, and proceedings resumed at 3pm, after the police thoroughly checked the court complex and found nothing suspicious.

"A thorough search of the entire high court premises was carried out and it was found that the threat was a hoax," deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Pravin Mundhe told reporters.

The court generally rises for an hour-long lunch break at 2pm. After the email arrived around 1pm, the chief justice circulated a note regarding the bo...