‘Who had time to pursue justice’: Wife of 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast victim says was busy rebuilding life
Pinky Sood, the widow of a victim from the 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast, reflects on the tragedy that claimed 13 lives and left a lasting impact on her community. Despite the passage of 30 years, she has not pursued justice in court, focusing instead on rebuilding her life and supporting her children. The memories of that horrific day remain vivid for many, including local traders who witnessed the chaos and destruction.
- ▪The 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast killed 13 people and injured 39 others.
- ▪Pinky Sood took over her husband's business after his death, prioritizing her family's needs over pursuing justice.
- ▪The blast was claimed by the Jammu Kashmir Islamic Front and occurred shortly after Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister.
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‘Who had time to pursue justice’: Wife of 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast victim says was busy rebuilding lifeThe 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast killed 13 people, including Pinky Sood's husband. 30 years later, the mental impact of the tragedy can be felt in the community.Published on: May 21, 2026 10:12 AM ISTBy Hemani Bhandari, Jignasa SinhaShare viaCopy link Around 5:30pm on May 21, 1996, Pinky Sood was going about her day at home — keeping her 12-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son busy, prepping for dinner—when a phone call from a relative shifted the ground beneath her feet. A blast had rocked Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar market, where her husband Rakesh Kumar Sood had a framing shop. “You should check, Pinky,” is all the relative said to her.
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