New Delhi, India – A devastating car explosion near the historic Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening has claimed the lives of at least eight people and left several others injured. The blast, which occurred around 6:52 PM near the Red Fort Metro Station, triggered a fire that engulfed several vehicles in the vicinity, leaving a scene of chaos and destruction.
Eyewitnesses described a powerful explosion that shook the area, with body parts scattered amidst the burning wreckage. According to the Delhi Police Commissioner, Satish Golcha, the explosion occurred in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that had stopped at a traffic light. The impact of the blast damaged nearby vehicles and injured pedestrians.
In the wake of the tragedy, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has expressed his condolences and shared his reaction to the unfortunate event. Taking to his Instagram story, Singh wrote, "Horrified by the incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening. My condolences to the families of the bereaved".
Singh also announced the postponement of the trailer launch of his upcoming film Dhurandhar, which was scheduled for November 12, as a mark of respect for the victims and their families. The film's makers, Jio Studios, B62 Studios & Team Dhurandhar, issued a statement, citing both the Delhi blast and concerns regarding the health of veteran actor Dharmendra as reasons for the postponement. The revised date for the trailer launch will be shared soon.
The Delhi Police have registered a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosives Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the blast site and met with the injured at LNJP Hospital. Shah has assured a thorough investigation into the blast, with teams from the Delhi Police, NIA, NSG, and forensics involved in the probe.
Initial investigations suggest that the explosion may not have been a planned suicide attack but rather an accidental detonation triggered in panic by the suspect. Security agencies are conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror networks and have recovered explosives in Faridabad, Saharanpur, Pulwama, and other areas.
Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the NIA to expedite its probe and the FSL to analyze samples. He has also stated that investigators are keeping all options open and that every angle will be explored to determine the cause of the blast and identify those responsible.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of those killed in the blast, ₹5 lakh for those rendered permanently disabled, ₹2 lakh for those with serious injuries, and ₹20,000 for those with minor injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion and bring those responsible to justice. The incident has prompted heightened security measures in Delhi and surrounding areas.
