A powerful explosion in a slow-moving car near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening has sent shockwaves across the National Capital Region (NCR), tragically killing at least eight people and injuring several others. In response, the Delhi Police have filed an FIR that includes charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), officially indicating the investigation is probing a possible terror link.
Key Developments and Security Measures
Despite the high alert across the capital, the Delhi government has made no announcement regarding the closure of schools and colleges, which remain open and are functioning as usual on Tuesday. However, security measures have been severely heightened across the NCR:
- High Alert: All major railway stations in Delhi-NCR, including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, and Hazrat Nizamuddin, have been placed on precautionary alert. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has issued a high alert for airports, the Delhi Metro, and other key installations nationwide.
- Political Response: Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that he is personally monitoring the situation. Teams from the Delhi Crime Branch, Special Branch, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the National Security Guard (NSG) were rushed to the spot within minutes to begin a thorough, multi-agency probe.
- Widespread Vigilance: Major metropolitan cities, including Mumbai and Pune, and states like Bihar (currently in its second phase of voting), Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, have been placed on high alert. The Chandni Chowk market, near the blast site, remains open today, though some sources indicated local closure immediately after the blast.
The Incident and Forensic Probe
The explosion occurred around 6:52 pm on Netaji Subhash Marg near the Lal Qila metro station Gate No. 1, rocking a Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed the vehicle was slow-moving when the blast happened, which damaged several nearby vehicles and caused a fire.
- Legal Action: The FIR has invoked Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA (dealing with terrorist acts and supporting terrorism), alongside Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.
- Forensic Analysis: Forensic Science Laboratory teams are collecting samples to determine the exact nature and cause of the explosion. Initial reports suggest that experts did not find typical signs of a conventional bomb blast, such as shrapnel or pellets, but the terror angle is being explored due to the vehicle’s ownership chain.
Tracing the Vehicle’s Ownership
Investigators are focusing heavily on the Hyundai i20 car, which had a Haryana registration plate. Gurugram police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar confirmed that two individuals are being questioned to trace the chain of ownership:
- Salman: The registered owner of the vehicle, a Gurugram resident, who claims to have sold the car about a year and a half ago.
- Devender: The man from Okhla to whom Salman claims to have sold the vehicle.
Police have detained both individuals for questioning as they attempt to trace subsequent sales. The multiplicity of vehicle ownership—often a tactic used in Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attacks—and the use of a fictitious ID linked to a Pulwama resident are key aspects of the terror investigation. Furthermore, CCTV footage has been obtained showing the car near a parking area, and more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from toll plazas, are being examined to map the vehicle’s complete movement.