Delhi car blast: Police file case under UAPA, Explosives Act sections
As the probe into the Red Fort car blast intensifies, Delhi Police invoked Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the FIR filed. These sections deal with terrorist acts and support for terrorism.
Eight people died in a massive car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, while 20 others sustained injuries. The cause of the blast is being ascertained and investigators have not drawn any conclusions related to any terror plot or otherwise. However, home minister Amit Shah has said all angles are being probed.
The Delhi Fire Services said it received a call regarding the explosion, near the Lal Qila Metro Station Gate No 1, at around 7 pm. The blast took place in a car near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening. Several other vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage in the explosion. The area was cordoned off following the explosion.
In a briefing after the explosion, union home minister Amit Shah said that a Hyundai i20 car had exploded at the Subhash Marg traffic signal. Shah said that the incident was being investigated by top agencies “taking all possibilities into account”, adding that the results will be presented before the public.
Shah said that teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot within 10 minutes of receiving the information. He said that the NSG and NIA teams, along with the forensic department, had begun a thorough probe and all CCTV cameras near the site were being checked.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and spoke to union home minister Amit Shah regarding the situation. “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover as soon as possible. Those affected are being assisted by authorities,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Shah had earlier spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, as reported by the ANI news agency. The home minister is also in regular contact with the Intelligence Bureau director.