Red Fort blast: 2 months on, relief amount yet to reach some; victims battle injuries, financial strain

NEW DELHI: Two months after a blast near the Red Fort injured over 30 people, 10 survivors said the promised compensation has still not reached them.Among them is 28year-old Ankush Sharma, a gold and silver craftsman, who lost an eye and suffered multiple injuries to his ear, head and legs. He continues to receive treatment at AIIMS for neurological complications, plastic surgery and eye procedures. According to his family, long wait for appointments, limited clinic hours and difficulty accessing specialists have made the process exhausting. They are now considering shifting Ankush to a private hospital, a move that would significantly increase their expenses. His elder brother, Ankit Sharma, 32, said, “He is undergoing multiple treatments. We have not received any compensation so far.”Another survivor, 23-year-old Shaina Parveen, resigned from her job as an accountant after the blast. Her right eardrum was severely damaged, and the left side of her face was injured. Shaina’s father, Mohammad Saifullah, 50, said,“Her marriage broke off after the incident, and we lost around Rs 3 lakh. On top of that, medical expenses are mounting. Authorities assured us not to worry, but we are still waiting.”Ashok Randhawa, a social worker working closely with blast victims, said several injured people also lost their vehicles in the explosion, including four taxis, e-rickshaws, and motorcycles. “For many, these vehicles were their only source of livelihood. They are still not released, and insurance companies are not settling the claims,” he said.Randhawa added that the matter was raised repeatedly with Delhi govt, but compensation for the injured remains pending.