On May 20, 2025, the Palghar Collector's office in Maharashtra received a bomb threat via an anonymous email, triggering a large-scale emergency response. The email, which landed in the official collectorate inbox around 6:23 AM, claimed that RDX had been planted within the district complex and was set to detonate around 3:30 PM.

Although initially treated with caution as a potential hoax, the Palghar police conducted a detailed assessment and determined the threat to be credible, prompting immediate action. District Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil, along with other senior officers, promptly arrived at the scene to lead a comprehensive search operation. According to Patil, teams responded with the utmost urgency, deploying metal detectors, bomb detection squads, and rapid response units to ensure the safety of all personnel and visitors.

By approximately 11:00 AM, the entire district headquarters, encompassing the collector's office, administrative buildings A and B, and the Zilla Parishad complex, was systematically evacuated. Government employees and visiting citizens were escorted to safety as a precautionary measure. Vivekanand Kadam, Chief of the Disaster Management Cell, confirmed that the Quick Response Team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, National Disaster Response Force, and Rapid Action Force had all been mobilized as part of the coordinated security response. Kadam emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that all protocols under the emergency evacuation and bomb threat handling plan were immediately activated and that this was not a drill.

Resident Deputy Collector Subhash Bhagde verified that his office received the anonymous email. He stated that the message contained specific timing and details that could not be ignored, leading to the implementation of immediate safety measures as per protocol.

Throughout the afternoon, bomb squads meticulously sanitized the complex, room by room, while sniffer dogs and handheld detectors meticulously searched sensitive areas. Simultaneously, cyber teams began working to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or rumors, as such actions could hinder emergency response efforts.

The police are currently investigating the source of the email. The district administration has appealed to people not to spread or believe rumors, as spreading unverified information or rumors can hinder emergency response efforts.