L-G calls for overhaul of security measures in wake of Red Fort blast

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena has ordered tightening of Delhi’s security apparatus, directing top officers to adopt stronger preventive, surveillance and vetting measures in the wake of the November 10 Red Fort blast.

In instructions issued to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, the L-G called for proactive monitoring of social media for “radicalising” content and a rigorous security audit of crowded public spaces. He emphasised enhanced vigilance in high-footfall areas such as railway stations, metro stations, cinema halls, parks and major markets.

 Mr. Saxena also sought a digital record of people purchasing or selling “ammonium nitrate beyond a prescribed threshold”, including photographs of buyers and sellers and other relevant details.  In his letter dated November 19, the L-G also directed all Deputy Commissioners of Police to examine deployment plans, beat rosters and CCTV networks during security audits.

“Where dark spots or gaps in camera coverage are identified, a consolidated reference should be sent to the Chief Secretary for additional installations,” the letter said. Strengthening police intelligence through both human inputs and technology was also underlined, with a specific focus on areas “vulnerable to radicalisation”. The L-G has asked Delhi Police to hold consultations with major social media companies, including Meta and X, to develop scientific methods for tracking content aimed at “brainwashing citizens”.

Doctors’ data repository

In a separate letter to the Chief Secretary, also dated November 19, the L-G flagged concerns raised by security agencies about private health institutions in Delhi and the NCR allegedly hiring medical professionals without proper background checks. He directed the Health Department to create a central data repository of doctors and paramedical staff, including information on their qualifications. For those with foreign medical degrees, details should be shared with the Delhi police for secondary verification.

Mr. Saxena also expressed concern over discrepancies between actual and registered vehicle ownership, noting that details of final purchasers often do not appear in the Vahan database. He instructed the Transport Department to consult digital platforms and financiers to ensure vehicles do not ply with mismatched ownership records. Mr. Saxena also asked the Delhi government to explore a city-wide drone policy and seek access to the Centre’s Digital Sky platform for mandatory drone registration.