Major Blast Rocks Delhi Near Historic Red Fort
A powerful explosion shook the national capital on Monday evening, resulting in a tragic loss of life and triggering a high-level investigation. The blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, located in close proximity to the iconic Red Fort.
Investigation Launched Under Anti-Terror Laws
Delhi Police have registered a formal case under stringent laws at the Kotwali Police Station. The charges have been framed under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which deals with terrorist acts and conspiracy, alongside various sections of the Explosives Act and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The UAPA is a powerful legal tool that allows for the prosecution of activities deemed unlawful against the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site and the hospital where the injured were admitted. He provided a detailed account, stating, "This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles." He confirmed that teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Special Branch arrived at the spot within 10 minutes of receiving the information.
Casualties and Ongoing Probe
The human cost of the explosion is severe. Medical authorities at Lok Nayak Hospital confirmed that eight people lost their lives before reaching the hospital. A total of fifteen people were brought to the facility, with three reported to be seriously injured. The condition of one injured individual is stated as stable.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha described the sequence of events, noting that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6:52 pm when the explosion happened, damaging nearby vehicles.
In a significant development, the police have moved quickly to trace the vehicle's history. The Gurugram Police spokesperson, Sandeep Kumar, revealed that the car was originally registered to a man named Salman from Gurugram, who had sold it to Devender from Okhla about a year and a half ago. Both individuals have been detained and are being questioned to establish the complete chain of ownership and subsequent sales.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and spoken to Home Minister Shah. All investigative agencies, including the FSL and the NIA, are involved in the probe as authorities explore all possibilities behind this devastating incident.
