New Delhi: Investigators looking into the explosion near the iconic Red Fort in Delhi have discovered that a grey Hyundai i20 remained parked in a lot adjacent to the monument for over three hours prior to the blast. Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle entered the parking area around 3:19 pm on Monday and stayed there until approximately 6:48 pm, according to CCTV footage reviewed by authorities.
Sources in the Delhi Police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed that the car’s extended presence near the heritage site is now a critical part of the investigation. Officials are scrutinizing traffic patterns at the time of exit to understand how the vehicle moved undetected through busy city streets. Heavy evening traffic is expected to help trace potential witnesses or additional footage from nearby roads.
Law-enforcement agencies are working to reconstruct the complete journey of the Hyundai i20 before it arrived at the Red Fort parking lot. CCTV coverage from surrounding roads, toll plazas, and commercial areas is being analyzed to track the vehicle’s movements. The car was reportedly seen in areas around Darya Ganj, the Red Fort/Kashmere Gate vicinity, and near Sunehri Masjid before it settled at the parking lot.
This effort involves multiple security and investigative units, including the Delhi Police’s Special Cell, Crime Branch, and the NIA. Officials aim to identify both the vehicle’s occupants and any associates who may have facilitated its prolonged presence near a highly sensitive heritage site.
Following the explosion, forensic teams and bomb disposal squads were deployed to inspect the vehicle and surrounding area. Investigators are meticulously collecting fragments and explosive residues to determine the nature of the device used. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed by senior Delhi Police officials and the Ministry of Home Affairs on developments in the case.
Security experts have expressed concern over how the vehicle remained undisturbed for such a long period in a location that sees constant foot traffic and is under high surveillance. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of current monitoring systems, perimeter controls, and protocols at heritage sites in dense urban zones.
Authorities have outlined a multi-pronged investigative approach:
• Extensive review of additional CCTV footage from the vicinity, including entry and exit points of the parking lot.
• Tracing the Hyundai i20’s ownership history, including any transfers or rentals, to identify potential suspects.
• Detailed forensic analysis of vehicle remnants for explosives, ignition devices, or wiring mechanisms.
• Witness interviews from local vendors, parking staff, and pedestrians who may have noticed unusual activity.
Security analysts emphasize that the incident underscores the challenges faced in protecting historical landmarks in densely populated cities. The prolonged presence of the vehicle near a symbolic and crowded site illustrates potential lapses in urban security measures and highlights the evolving tactics used in small-scale, high-impact attacks.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are coordinating across agencies to ensure both forensic evidence and intelligence inputs are effectively combined. Lessons from this incident are expected to prompt tighter security measures and monitoring protocols at heritage locations nationwide, aiming to prevent any recurrence of such high-risk incidents.