Among the 12 killed in the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening was Ashok Kumar, 40, a conductor with the Delhi Transport Corporation. A resident of Jagatpur in Delhi and originally from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, Ashok was the sole breadwinner for his family of eight comprising his wife, four children, elderly mother and ailing elder brother.
Ashok, a DTC conductor on the Old Delhi route, supplemented his income by working as a night-time security guard. According to Ashok’s cousin Pappu, he had gone out that evening to receive another missing relative, Lokesh Kumar Gupta, coming from Chandni Chowk metro station. He fell victim to the blast while waiting for him.
“His mother, Somwati, lives in our village in Amroha with his elder brother, Subhash, who is often unwell. Ashok single-handedly managed all responsibilities,” Pappu said, recalling the devastating loss. Ashok’s cousin added that Ashok might have been returning from work or heading to meet his relative when the explosion occurred.
Families in grief and shock
Visuals outside LNJP Hospital, where the blast victims were treated, showed grieving families searching for their loved ones. The Hyundai i20 that was involved in the blast bore a Haryana registration number. Delhi Police have invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the ongoing investigation on suspicion of terror links.
The blast near Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 at 6:52 PM killed nine people and injured 20. The incident also comes on the same day when 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered near Faridabad, just 50 km from Delhi.
The death of Ashok Kumar has sent shockwaves across Amroha. Villagers there mourn the loss of a hardworking man who did much to support his family throughout the years. People paid glowing tributes to Ashok, describing him as an industrious worker, a loving family man who met an unfortunate death while trying to save a life.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
