The opposition is demanding an inquiry into the Red Fort explosion

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (Nov 10, 2025) urged the government to ensure a “speedy and thorough investigation” into the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that evening, which killed at least nine people and injured 20, especially considering that it took place in a high-security zone. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav urged the government to take free and transparent action to reassure the public.

The explosion took place around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving vehicle that had stopped at a red light outside the Red Fort. The blast caused a fire that engulfed nearby vehicles, including several commercial taxis.

Explosion near Red Fort LIVE:

Mr Kharge said: “At this time of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and we pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.” He also said those responsible for the security breach must be held accountable.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called the incident “heartbreaking and worrying”, expressed his condolences and wished speedy recovery of the injured. Expressing his anguish, Congress Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal said, “The loss of many lives is extremely painful. The entire country is united in this difficult moment.” He urged the government to “expeditiously investigate this incident and shed more light on what happened.”

Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Grand Alliance (Mahagatbandhan) chief ministerial candidate in the ongoing Bihar Parliament elections, demanded a thorough investigation to “reassure the public with fair and transparent action” and ensure that the perpetrators receive the “toughest possible punishment”. “How long will Indians live in fear?” he asked. The second and final phase of polling for the Bihar assembly elections is scheduled for Tuesday.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party president Arvind Kejriwal called for an immediate probe into the possibility of a larger conspiracy. “Negligence towards the security of Delhi cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav stressed that the incident should be investigated from every angle and security measures should be taken immediately to allay public fears.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also expressed grief and demanded maximum punishment for those responsible for the ‘reprehensible act’.

Eyewitness accounts

Dharmender, a resident of Greater Noida, shared The Hindu that he was shopping on the sidewalk opposite when he heard a loud explosion and saw vehicles bursting into flames. “There was heavy traffic and the slow-moving vehicle in which the blast occurred went up in flames, setting several commercial taxis around it on fire,” he said.

He added that initially only two policemen were present at the Red Fort chowki and they rushed to rescue people. “We dragged out almost seven taxi drivers and saw that the vehicle in which the blast took place had a Haryana registration plate,” he said.

The sign is said to have belonged to one Nadeem Khan. Fire and police teams reportedly arrived about 10 minutes later.

Bhupender Singh, a resident of Noida, said his commercial vehicle was just 3 meters away. “The traffic light had just turned green when the blast occurred. I quickly left my vehicle and ran to the market,” he said, describing the intensity of the blast as so strong that people were blown apart.

Mohsin Ali, a local labourer, said he recovered at least three charred bodies and placed them on an e-rickshaw. “E-rickshaws exploded; people’s body parts scattered during the blast, and hardly anyone near the vehicle could be saved,” he said. He also noted that the vehicle debris shattered the glass of a nearby temple.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that the explosion occurred in a slow-moving vehicle and damaged nearby vehicles. “All agencies, FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory), NIA (National Investigation Agency) are here. Some people have died and some have been injured. We are investigating the incident and will update soon,” he said, adding that the Home Minister is being kept informed. Several fire engines, CATS vans and bomb disposal units remain at the site for further investigation.