The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over Monday evening’s deadly explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. The blast, which occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station, has so far claimed 12 lives and left at least 24 others injured.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) transferred the investigation to the NIA on Tuesday, following high-level deliberations within the government. Officials said the decision underscores the Centre’s assessment that the explosion was a deliberate act of terror. The NIA, which is empowered to handle terrorism-related offences, has already deployed teams to the site to examine forensic evidence and coordinate with local law enforcement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an emergency meeting earlier in the day to review the security situation in the national capital and other major cities. “All top investigating agencies are jointly probing the blast and will get to the root of the incident,” Shah said after the review.
According to officials, the explosion took place around 6:30 pm on Monday. The impact gutted several vehicles and shattered nearby shopfronts, leaving the area strewn with debris and panic-stricken commuters.
Investigators are also probing possible connections between the Red Fort blast and a recently dismantled terror module in Haryana’s Faridabad. Prior to the NIA takeover, the investigation had been conducted jointly by the Delhi Police Special Cell, the local district police, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The Delhi Police had earlier registered a case under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with sections of the Explosive Substances Act. Charges of murder and attempted murder were also invoked as part of the widening probe.
A major focus of the investigation has been on tracing the movement of suspects through CCTV footage. Over 200 police personnel have combed through hours of video from multiple routes, including stretches from Badarpur Border to Sunehri Masjid and from Outer Ring Road to Kashmere Gate. This extensive review has led investigators to identify and question around 13 individuals believed to have links to the case.
One crucial lead centres on the car used in the explosion. Investigators have uncovered a complex trail of ownership transfers in recent months. Records show that the vehicle was first sold by a man named Salman to Devender in March 2025. It was later passed to another individual, Aamir, on 29 October, before being handed over to Dr Umar Mohammad. Another man, Tariq, is also believed to have been involved in the transaction. Both Aamir and Tariq are now in police custody for questioning as the investigation deepens.
