It was meant to be another hectic PIL (public interest litigation) day at the Delhi high court on Wednesday when a powerful explosion near the reception area of Gate No 5 that is normally used by litigants and lawyers to gain access into the court premises, shattered the calm.
“Blast in Delhi HC. Right in front of me. The whole car shook,” tweeted Delhi high court lawyer Seema Rao who saw the explosion as she was parking her car and was the first person to break the story in the virtual world. She said people were running for cover as it became clear that it was a terror blast.
Within minutes, a cavalcade of ambulances and vehicles carrying security personnel were rushed to the spot and the victims were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. “I was facing the counter getting my pass prepared to enter the court when the blast happened. There were more than 200 people at the spot. I was shocked. Then I saw the injured,” said Rahul Gupta, who had come for his PIL hearing.
Lawyers practising at the court were agitated and shocked. “It was just four months ago that a blast took place here and now we have to face this. At least the police should have taken some precautionary measures,” D.K. Sharma, honorary secretary of Delhi High Court Bar Association.