Secrets, Spirits, and a Hidden Tunnel: What Lies Beneath the Delhi Assembly?
A hidden tunnel beneath the Delhi Vidhan Sabha once extended 1.5–2 km to the Red Fort, used by the British to discreetly move freedom fighters and prisoners, avoiding public attention or protests.
A secret gallows under the Delhi Assembly, along with a tunnel leading straight to the Red Fort, has often triggered controversies. The matter has been discussed in both the Delhi Assembly and the Parliament, and was recently raised again in the Lok Sabha, with calls to convert the gallows into a museum. The site is believed to be haunted, with reports of strange noises and paranormal events.
The current Delhi Assembly building was constructed by the British in 1912 when the capital shifted from Kolkata to Delhi. It was originally called the “Council House.” The building hosted meetings of the Central Legislative Council and was the location of Bhagat Singh’s bomb explosion. It also witnessed an era of strict laws and repression during colonial rule.
The Hidden Gallows
Located in the basement of the Assembly, the “Hanging Cell” is a small, dark room fitted with wooden beams and iron chains. It is believed that British officials secretly hanged freedom fighters here to prevent public outcry. Such covert executions were common across several colonial sites, with no official documents identifying the victims or dates. Historians estimate that between 1915 and 1930, around 10 to 20 revolutionaries may have been executed in this space. Some also suggest it was used for torture and interrogations.
Unearthed During a 2003 Excavation
As there are no funeral records or names of those martyred here, the site is considered “cursed” or haunted by wandering souls. The Delhi government unearthed this room during an excavation in 2003, which also confirmed the presence of a tunnel beneath the Vidhan Sabha premises.
The Tunnel to Red Fort
The tunnel, which connected the Assembly to the Red Fort, was reportedly used to move prisoners in secrecy during British rule. Though largely demolished now, parts of the tunnel still survive. Historians consider the tunnel and gallows as symbols of colonial repression against revolutionaries, whom the British branded as “terrorists.”
In 2016, then Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, Ram Niwas Goel, proposed turning the site into a museum to highlight its historical relevance. While the area remains off-limits to the public, special guests and some journalists have occasionally been allowed to visit.
Ghost Stories and Claims
Numerous tales and claims of supernatural activity are linked to the hanging cell and tunnel. Because of its grim history and eerie setting, some people regard the location as haunted. Many staff members, security personnel, and journalists who have visited the basement or the tunnel reported feeling sudden chills, as if someone had just walked past. Others claimed to have heard sounds like chains dragging, whispers, or sobbing—especially during late hours or when the basement is deserted.
In one incident, a cleaning staff member claimed to sense a presence in the room, though no one was visible. At times, lights in the basement reportedly dimmed or went out on their own, despite no known technical issues. These events usually occurred near the ‘Hanging Cell.’
Some visitors reported a foul or rotten odour on entering the basement, though no source was ever identified. Others said they felt short of breath, as if the place carried a heavy or unsettling energy. While the Delhi Assembly has never officially declared the site as haunted, many believe that spirits continue to roam if last rites are not performed.
Condition of the Tunnel
The secret tunnel beneath the Delhi Assembly is a historical enigma in itself. Once spanning 1.5 to 2 km to the Red Fort, it was built as a curved underground passage to avoid detection, deliberately not taking a straight path under the roads. During colonial rule, revolutionaries, political prisoners, and suspects were quietly transferred through it to avoid public unrest.
It is also believed that the tunnel may have been used for covert political communication or movement of classified documents during emergencies. Currently, the tunnel lies abandoned and in a dilapidated state. It is filled with rubble and earth. Based on its architecture and materials, experts estimate that it was constructed between 1912 and 1925. For safety and security reasons, the entrance has been sealed to prevent misuse by anti-social elements.
Haunting Incidents
The Doctor’s Discomfort: In 2004, a medical team entered the basement for an inspection. One doctor said that the moment he stepped into the “hanging room,” he was hit by a severe headache and a sense of suffocation—both of which vanished once he left the room. Recalling the incident, he remarked, “It felt as though someone didn’t want me there.”
Sweeper’s Terror: A night shift sweeper reported hearing chains clinking and seeing a shadowy figure. Terrified, he resigned the next day.
Journalist’s Account: A senior journalist, during a guided visit to the basement, wrote that he heard someone crying and calling for help, even though the place was empty.
Speaker’s Observation: In 2016, then Speaker Ram Niwas Goel noted that the basement had a “strangely cold and heavy” atmosphere. He suggested that the place might indeed be “haunted” and reiterated the proposal to convert it into a memorial honouring the martyrs.
