A masked man was spotted driving a Hyundai i20 car just minutes before it exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, leaving at least nine people dead and more than 20 injured. The explosion also damaged several vehicles in the busy area, causing panic among residents and commuters.
CCTV footage obtained by the police shows the man, wearing a black mask, driving the Hyundai i20 with registration number HR26CE7674 inside a parking lot before the blast. Officials say the suspect appeared to be alone at the time. Investigators are now tracing the vehicle’s route from the parking lot to the blast site, examining over 100 CCTV clips, including those from toll plazas and nearby streets, to understand the car’s movements.
Earlier footage shows the car traveling through the Daryaganj market area around 4 pm, roughly three hours before the blast. The vehicle was seen on Chhata Rail Chow before taking a U-turn and moving towards Lower Subash Marg, where it exploded near a traffic signal close to Lal Quila metro station at around 6:52 pm. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a sudden fireball and smoke, prompting chaos in the crowded streets. 
The cause of the blast is still under investigation. Police and forensic teams are examining whether an explosive device detonated inside the car. While initial reports suggested a possible CNG cylinder explosion, officials now believe other substances like ammonia gel may have been used, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
