A left-leaning social media account named ‘Team Saath’ has come under fire for spreading misinformation about the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, falsely claiming that the incident was a CNG cylinder blast and not a terror attack. The handle deleted its post after facing widespread backlash and being fact-checked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The controversy erupted after the handle, which frequently posts political content, published a post on X at 10:30 PM on 10 November 2025, stating:
“It was a tragic CNG cylinder explosion, not a terror attack. The high casualty figure is because the blast happened in a crowded pick-up zone right outside Red Fort Metro Gate 1 during evening rush and resultant fire spread to nearby vehicles. As confirmed by Special CP Ravindra Yadav (Law & Order).”
At that time, the Delhi Police and other agencies had not issued any official statement identifying the cause of the explosion. Investigations were still underway, with all possibilities including terror involvement being explored. The post, however, falsely attributed a quote to Special CP (Law & Order) Ravindra Yadav, claiming he had ruled out a terror angle.
Government Fact-Check and Clarification
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Government of India’s official fact-checking agency, refuted the viral claim a few hours later, clarifying that no such statement had been made by the Special CP.
The agency also called out multiple social media accounts for circulating old and unrelated images, passing them off as visuals from the Red Fort blast. PIB termed these posts as “propaganda”, warning users against amplifying misinformation during an ongoing national security investigation.
Use of AI Responses to Bolster Fake Claims
In a bizarre twist, the ‘Team Saath’ handle also shared screenshots of X AI (Grok) chatbot responses as “proof” that the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder, despite there being no official confirmation at the time. The handle used this AI-generated text to reinforce its narrative, a move widely criticized as irresponsible and misleading.
Cyber experts and journalists pointed out that AI chatbots rely on real-time public content and are not authoritative sources of verified information, making their use as “proof” in breaking news situations highly misleading.
Factcheck and Deletion
Following sharp criticism online and the PIB’s fact-check, ‘Team Saath’ quietly deleted its post without issuing any correction or apology. Users across the political spectrum accused the handle of deliberately spreading disinformation to downplay the seriousness of an incident that had resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
Observers noted that misquoting senior law enforcement officials during an active investigation could amount to obstruction or misinformation under IT laws.
Team Saath (“Stand Against Abuse Troll Harassment”) while claiming to push against abuse, harassment etc, has itself indulged in all these and also allegedly pushed fake news multiple times.
The handle is said to be led by contributors including actor Sushant Singh.
In June and July 2022, Team Saath was repeatedly accused of targeted harassment, mass reporting, and online bullying of users with political views opposed to theirs. The handle was briefly suspended by Twitter for violating rules against abuse and harassment, stirring a public debate on free speech and platform moderation. Prominent liberal, left, and Islamist supporters campaigned for its reinstatement, while critics highlighted its role in silencing dissenting voices and creating “hit lists” of nationalist celebrities for mass trolling.
In September 2024, formal police complaints were filed in Himachal Pradesh after Team Saath tweeted controversial posts labelling Hindu festival participants as “Hindutva terrorists,” leading to charges of insulting cultural traditions and promoting hate against Hindus.
The handle has also been called out for hypocrisy, professing to stand against trolling and harassment but allegedly unleashing targeted social media campaigns against both individuals and celebrities, often with coordinated online mobs.
Delhi Blast Incident
On 10 November 2025, a deadly car explosion rocked central Delhi near the Red Fort Metro Station, killing at least eight and injuring over twenty. Forensic experts identified ammonium nitrate fuel oil in the blast, which authorities suspect was a terrorist attack linked to an absconding doctor involved in a Faridabad explosives case. The vehicle, a white Hyundai i20, was traced to Haryana and detonated during peak hour traffic, setting off a chain of fires.
The car was last owned by Dr Umar Mohammad, a medical practitioner from Pulwama, Kashmir. Just a few hours before the blast, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, with central agencies, uncovered a major Jaish-e-Mohammed-linked terror module spanning multiple states and countries, recovering 2,900 kg of explosives, including 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, weapons, and timers from Faridabad and other locations. Dr Umar Mohammad was reportedly connected to a terror module; investigators believe Umar panicked after his associates’ arrest and carried out the explosion as a suicide attack in central Delhi, cementing the direct link between the car’s ownership and the busted terror network.
Security has been heightened, Red Fort closed to visitors, and the investigation now involves Delhi Police, NIA, and other agencies under UAPA provisions, with all angles being actively probed.
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