The owner of the car that exploded earlier today in the Indian capital Delhi has been arrested, PTI and local television NDTV reported, citing officials, BTA reported.
His name is Md Salman and he has been detained in the city of Gurugram in Haryana state. He sold his car to another person in the city of Okhla, the authorities said, adding that the car was still registered in Salman's name and had a Haryana license plate.
"The Delhi police, in collaboration with the Gurugram police, detained Salman earlier today and are questioning him about the car. He sold it in Okhla to a person named Devendra. The vehicle was later resold to another, yet unidentified person in Ambala. The identity and whereabouts of the persons are currently being verified by the police," a senior police official was quoted as saying by PTI.
Earlier today, a parked car exploded near a metro station near the Red Fort in the Indian capital Delhi, setting several vehicles ablaze and killing at least eight people, PTI reported, citing officials.
Twenty-four people were injured in the blast, which took place during rush hour when the area is crowded. The injured were taken to hospital.
Videos shared on social media showed the scale of the blast, which shattered windows in the area. Witnesses said body parts were strewn around the blast site.
The cause of the explosion is still unclear, and police have launched an investigation, local police spokesman Sanjay Tyagi said, quoted by Reuters.
The Red Fort, known in India as Lal Qila, was built in the 17th century. It is located in the old part of the city and is visited by tourists all year round.
ENHANCED SECURITY
In connection with the blast, security measures were tightened to the highest level at the Delhi International Airport, in and around metro stations (as the explosion went off near the entrance to a metro station) and government offices, the Associated Press reported.
Om Prakash Gupta, an eyewitness who lives near the scene, said he was at home when a loud explosion rang out. "Immediately I rushed outside with the children and saw several burning cars, there were body parts everywhere," he told the AP.
A taxi driver who identified himself as Shahrukh also told the AP that he heard a loud explosion. "I got out of the car and started running on the road along with other people", he said.
AUTHORITIES ARE CHECKING ALL POSSIBLE VERSIONS
Home Minister Amit Shah told local media that a "Hyundai i20" car exploded near a traffic light in the Red Fort area. According to him, the recordings from the cameras in the vicinity are about to be checked.
"All possible versions are being checked. We will conduct a thorough investigation, all possible versions will be taken into account", Shah said. "All possible reasons will be investigated immediately and we will inform the public with the results."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented on the events in Delhi. He did this through a publication in "Ex". "Condolences to all who lost loved ones in the blast earlier tonight in Delhi. May the injured recover quickly."