The powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort not only shattered the city’s calm but also sent shockwaves through homes hundreds of kilometres away, where families are still grappling with the sudden loss of their loved ones. From the quiet lanes of Shravasti and Deoria to the bustling streets of Meerut, Amroha and Shamli, the victims of the devastating car blast were ordinary people — taxi and e-rickshaw drivers, cosmetic shop owners, DTC bus conductors — all striving to support their families and build better lives.
Among the victims was 32-year-old Dinesh Mishra from Ganeshpur village in Shravasti district, who had been working at a printing press in Delhi’s Chawri Bazar to support his wife and three children. His father, Bhure Mishra, said Dinesh had returned home for Diwali. “He was a hardworking man. He wanted to give his children a good education. We still can’t believe he is gone,” Bhure said, his voice breaking as neighbours gathered to console the family.
District Magistrate Ashwini Pandey said Dinesh’s body was being brought back to Shravasti and was expected to arrive by Tuesday evening.
“We have spoken to the family and assured them of all possible assistance,” he said.
In Meerut, another family was torn apart not only by grief but also by a painful dispute over where to lay their son to rest. Mohsin, 32, who had moved to Delhi two years ago to earn a living by driving an e-rickshaw, died in the blast near the Red Fort while ferrying passengers.
When his body reached his hometown in Lohia Nagar, an emotional disagreement broke out between his wife, Sultana, and his parents. While Sultana wanted him buried in Delhi, where they had settled and their children were studying, his parents insisted he be laid to rest in Meerut. Neighbours and relatives tried to mediate as both sides broke down in tears. “The blast took Mohsin away, but now even the family is divided,” said a neighbour. After several tense hours and police intervention, Sultana finally took the body for burial. Eighteen-year-old Nauman Ansari from Shamli had gone to Delhi to buy cosmetics for his shop when the explosion cut short his life. “Nauman was killed on the spot while his cousin Aman sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi,” his uncle Furkan said.
Sonu, a relative working near New Delhi Railway Station, said, “Early this morning, I got a call from my uncle saying Nauman was no more and asked me to reach LNJP Hospital.” Among the other victims was DTC conductor Ashok Kumar, 34, from Amroha district, who had been supporting his elderly parents and two young children through his job in Delhi.
In Deoria, 22-year-old Shiva Jaiswal, who ran a small ready-made garment shop in Bhalauni town, was among those injured in the blast.
He had gone to Delhi to buy new stock for the festive season when he was caught in the explosion near the Red Fort.
His sister, Purnima Jaiswal, told PTI that Shiva had called earlier that day to say he had finished shopping and would visit their aunt before returning home. “Then we heard about the blast on TV and his phone went unreachable. Later, we found out he was admitted to LNJP Hospital,” she said.
Shiva’s mother, Maya Jaiswal, a local BJP Mahila Morcha worker, said she was relieved that her son was alive but shaken by how close the tragedy had come. “He was lucky this time,” she said softly.
Another deceased, 22-year-old Pankaj Sahni, operated a taxi in the capital to support his family, originally from Bihar.
His relative Ramdev Sahni said a phone call was received from Kotwali police station in Delhi regarding his nephew’s death.
“He drove a taxi for three years. We were told the backside of his head was blown off. The car, a WagnoR, was completely damaged,” Sahni said while waiting outside the mortuary.
