Secrets, Spirits, And A Hidden Tunnel: What Lies Beneath The Delhi Assembly?
The secret tunnel under Delhi Vidhan Sabha once ran 1.5–2 km to Red Fort, used by the British to secretly move revolutionaries and prisoners, avoiding public attention or protests
A secret gallows beneath the Delhi Assembly, along with a tunnel leading directly to the Red Fort, has sparked frequent controversies. The issue has been raised in both the Delhi Assembly and Parliament, and was recently brought up again in the Lok Sabha, prompting demands to convert the gallows into a museum. The site is believed to be haunted, with reports of mysterious sounds and paranormal occurrences.
The current Delhi Assembly building was constructed by the British in 1912 when the capital was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi, originally named the 'Council House." It hosted the Central Legislative Council meetings and was the site of Bhagat Singh's bomb explosion. The building witnessed an era of stringent laws and repression during British India.
Located in the basement of the Assembly building, the 'Hanging Cell" is a dark, narrow room with wooden frames and chains for hanging. It is believed that revolutionaries from the freedom movement were secretly executed here to avoid public uproar. These secret executions were common across various British sites, with no official records naming or dating the events. Historians estimate that 10 to 20 revolutionaries were hanged here between 1915 and 1930. Some believe the cell was also used for interrogation and torture.
As there are no funeral or mass records of the martyrs, the site is considered 'cursed" or haunted by wandering souls. During a 2003 excavation by the Delhi government, this room was discovered, along with confirmation of a secret tunnel beneath the Vidhan Sabha building.
The Tunnel To Red Fort
The tunnel, which connected the Assembly building to the Red Fort, was used to secretly transport prisoners during British rule. Although demolished, remnants of the tunnel still exist. Historians view the gallows and tunnel as symbols of the British Empire's oppressive tactics against revolutionaries, whom they labelled as 'terrorists."
In 2016, then Assembly Speaker Ramniwas Goyal proposed converting the site into a museum to highlight its historical significance. While the area remains closed to the public, special representatives and journalists have occasionally been granted access.
Haunted Stories And Claims
There are numerous stories and claims of paranormal activities associated with the hanging cell and tunnel. Due to its history, eerie atmosphere, and mystery, some consider the site 'haunted." Several staff members, security personnel, and reporters who have ventured near the basement or tunnel have reported sudden cold drafts, as if someone had just passed by. Others have claimed to hear sounds like chains rattling, whispers, or sobs, especially late at night or when the basement is deserted.
In one account, a cleaner claimed to have sensed someone's presence, though no one was around. On several occasions, lights in the basement reportedly turned off or dimmed on their own, despite no electrical issues. These incidents are believed to have occurred near a room known as the 'Hanging Cell.'
Some people reported a foul or rotten smell upon entering the basement, though no source was ever found. Many described feeling breathless, as if the place carried a heavy or negative energy. While the Delhi Assembly has never declared the site 'haunted', many believe that if someone dies and their last rites aren't performed, the spirit continues to wander.
The Tunnel's Condition
The secret tunnel beneath the Delhi Vidhan Sabha is a heritage mystery in itself. Once stretching 1.5 to 2 km to the Red Fort, it was built in a curved underground passage, deliberately avoiding a direct route under the road to keep it hidden. During British rule, revolutionaries, political prisoners, and suspects were secretly transported through it from the Red Fort to avoid drawing public attention or sparking protests.
It is also believed that the tunnel may have been used for secret political activities or transferring documents during emergencies. Today, the tunnel is no longer in use and lies in a dilapidated state. Much of it is filled with debris and soil. Based on its brickwork and design, experts estimate it was built between 1912 and 1925. For security reasons, the tunnel has been sealed off to prevent misuse by anti-social elements.
Haunted Anecdotes
The Doctor's Dilemma: Around 2004, a medical team visited the basement of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha for a survey. One of the doctors reported that upon entering the 'hanging room," he suddenly experienced a severe headache and a sense of suffocation, which subsided as soon as he stepped out. Reflecting on the experience, he said, 'It felt as if someone didn't want me there."
Sweeping Worker's Scream: A late-night sweeper reported hearing chains rattling and seeing a shadow, causing such fear that he quit his job the next day.
Journalist's Reporting: A senior journalist who was taken to the basement during a tour of the Vidhan Sabha wrote that upon reaching the area, he heard someone crying and calling for help, yet no one was there.
Assembly Speaker's Statement: In 2016, then Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel acknowledged that the basement had a 'strangely heavy and cold" atmosphere. He suggested it might be 'haunted" and proposed converting it into a memorial to honour the martyrs.
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First Published:
August 06, 2025, 17:30 IST
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