'Strong vibrations, chemical-like smell': Locals of Delhi's Paschim Vihar in panic after blast
New Delhi (PTI): Residents of Delhi's Rohini area woke up to the sound of a loud blast on Sunday morning. Its vibrations were felt in faraway houses, hundreds of metres away, they said.
Locals said there was a "chemical-like" smell at the site and thick white smoke everywhere as panic gripped the Paschim Vihar area after the blast happened near a CRPF school.
"It wasn't like a firecracker, the sound was incredibly loud. And for 15-20 minutes, there was just smoke everywhere," said Kiran Sachdeva, a resident of the locality.
Sachdeva, in her 60s, described the blast as an "earthquake-like" shock, and said her house was about 200-250 meters away from the site.
Local businesses were affected by the explosion, with the fire brigade, police, bomb squad as well as a team of the NIA and NSG visiting the area to ascertain the cause of the explosion. No one was injured in the incident but the walls of the schools and some shops and a car nearby received damage, according to officials.
The usually-bustling streets were eerily quiet, with all shops and kiosks closed and their glass windows and signboards shattered.
Himanshu Kohli, a shopkeeper, said when he heard the blast, he ran towards the spot. He said white smoke filled the air and a strong, chemical-like smell emanated from the site.
"Glass windows and boards were broken. I got scared and returned to my shop," Kohli said.
Parents of school-going children, though relieved that it happened on a Sunday, couldn't help but wonder what could have been.
"My son studies in class 9 at that (CRPF) school. I couldn't help but be worried about him," said Rita Singh, another Paschim Vihar resident.
Anita Singh had just returned from the temple when she heard the "very loud explosion".
"I felt the vibrations in my house. It felt like someone's cylinder had exploded nearby. My children's school bus comes here and usually we stand at this (near the school) gate in the morning.
"But since today was Sunday, nobody got hurt. I shudder to think about how big a disaster it could have been if it had happened during the weekdays," she said.
Thirty-five-year-old Anish Malhotra woke up in fear when he heard the explosion.
"When I came outside, it was all smoky, but thankfully it was Sunday, and schools were closed, because there are two schools adjacent to each other here, he said.
Yet, people are wondering about the lingering smell of chemicals, which has heightened tension in the area, Malhotra said.
People also noted that the blast occurred in the festive season -- many are observing Karwa Chauth on Sunday and Diwali is also approaching -- when streets are filled with crowds.
"This road is pretty busy, and if it had happened in the evening, I don't know how much damage could have occurred. Today is Karwa Chauth, and many people would have been out celebrating here," Dhiraj Parana said.
Another local said he did not come out initially when the blast happened. Later when he went out, he saw some early morning shoppers running away.
"It looks like some mischievous activity. My child studies here and now there will always be a fear in my mind that anything can happen at any time," a woman lamented. "I've never witnessed something like this before," another resident said.
Officers of the National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency and Delhi Police have cordoned off the entire area of the explosion site. They are collecting samples from the area, CCTV footage and other data to ascertain the cause of the blast, which is currently suspected to be a crude bomb, officials said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
