Red Fort Blast: Delhi Police Invoke UAPA and Explosives Act in High-Intensity Car Explosion Case

The Tragic Incident near Red Fort

A devastating car explosion outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening claimed the lives of eight people and left over twenty injured, plunging the national capital into shock. The blast occurred on Netaji Subhash Marg, near the Red Fort Metro Station, triggering a wave of concern across multiple states.

By 11:30 PM, authorities had identified two of the deceased — Ashok Kumar (34), a resident of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Amar Kataria, a native of Delhi’s Sriniwaspuri area. A ninth body part found at the scene remains unidentified.

FIR Registered Under UAPA and Explosives Act

In response to the attack, the Delhi Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) invoking key provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act.
The charges include:

  • Section 16, UAPA – Punishment for terrorist acts.

  • Section 18, UAPA – Punishment for conspiracy or acts preparatory to commit a terrorist act.

  • Relevant provisions under the Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, dealing with unlawful possession, preparation, and use of explosive materials.

  • Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – for murder and attempt to murder, respectively.

The inclusion of terror-related charges under UAPA indicates that investigators are treating the explosion as a terror attack, pending forensic and intelligence verification.

Forensic Examination Underway

According to Mohamad Wahid, a forensic officer from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), samples from the blast site have been collected and sent for examination. Wahid stated that only after detailed testing could the team determine the exact nature and composition of the explosives used.

“Everything will be known after examination,” Wahid confirmed, highlighting the sensitivity of the ongoing probe.

 CCTV Footage Reveals Car’s Final Moments

Investigators have traced CCTV footage showing a Hyundai i20 parked near the Red Fort for nearly two hours before it exploded while moving slowly along Netaji Subhash Marg. This footage is proving crucial in mapping the vehicle’s journey and identifying potential suspects.

Tracing Ownership of the Explosive-Laden Vehicle

Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson for the Gurugram Police, revealed that the car was originally registered under a resident named Salman from Gurugram. Salman reportedly sold the vehicle to a man named Devender from Okhla about 18 months ago.
Both individuals have been detained and handed over to the Delhi Police for interrogation as investigators work to establish the full chain of ownership.

Nationwide Security Alert

Following the explosion, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a nationwide alert. States including Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh have been placed on high alert, with heightened security across railway stations, temples, and government installations.

The National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have joined the Delhi Police’s Special Cell to conduct a coordinated investigation.

Security Reinforced Across Key Locations

Security has been intensified at major public spaces including:

  • Delhi-NCR railway stations, where dog squads and additional forces have been deployed.

  • Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, with enhanced checks at the base camp in Katra.

  • Patna Junction (Bihar) and other major transport hubs in northern India.

  • Mumbai and Pune, following an alert issued by Maharashtra Police.

Statements from Leaders and Officials

President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences, saying:

“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. I pray for the quick recovery of those injured.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited both the blast site and the Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), where the injured were admitted. He stated that top investigative agencies were probing the case “with full intensity.”

“We will go in-depth into the incident,” Shah affirmed, calling the attack “painful beyond words.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena also extended condolences, assuring full cooperation with central authorities.

International Condolences and Security Alerts

The United States Embassy in India and the Australian High Commission both issued security alerts and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

“Australia stands with India in this moment of grief,” stated the Australian High Commissioner.

 Legal and Constitutional Framework

The ongoing investigation and response are guided by several statutory and constitutional provisions, including:

  • Article 355 of the Constitution of India – Mandates the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance.

  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 – India’s primary anti-terror law empowering authorities to curb activities threatening national sovereignty.

  • Explosives Act, 1884 and Explosive Substances Act, 1908 – Regulate manufacturing, possession, and use of explosive materials.

  • National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 – Enables central investigation into offences affecting national security.

  • Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC – Provide for prosecution in cases of homicide and attempt to murder.

Judicial precedents such as Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab (1994) 3 SCC 569, and PUCL v. Union of India (2004) 9 SCC 580, reaffirm the need for balance between national security and individual liberties in cases involving terror-related laws like UAPA.

Investigation at Full Intensity

The Home Ministry has scheduled an internal meeting with all senior officials to coordinate updates from Delhi Police, NSG, and NIA. Multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), are now tracing possible terror networks behind the blast.

Conclusion: A Test of National Security Preparedness

The Red Fort explosion represents not just a tragic loss of lives, but also a critical test for India’s anti-terror framework. As investigators examine forensic evidence and trace the vehicle’s ownership chain, questions of intelligence preparedness, urban security, and preventive policing will inevitably arise.

While the nation mourns the victims, the case underscores the importance of strong investigative coordination and public vigilance in safeguarding national monuments and densely populated areas.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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