Red Fort Blast Case: NIA Court to Begin Arguments on Framing Charges
A Special NIA court begins hearing arguments on framing charges for the deadly Red Fort car bomb blast involving a larger jihadi conspiracy.
The Special NIA court at Rouse Avenue has scheduled the hearing for arguments regarding the framing of charges in the high-profile Red Fort blast case. Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma has listed the matter for arguments starting Friday, November 6, and continuing through November 27. While the NIA will present its arguments first, the court will hear from the accused persons on November 14.
The Scale of the Investigation
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has presented a massive case against the perpetrators, filing a charge sheet that spans 7,500 pages. The prosecution's evidence is extensive, citing more than 580 witnesses, 395 documents, and over 200 seized material exhibits. This evidence was gathered through a wide-ranging investigation that covered several states, including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Accused and the Conspiracy
The NIA initially filed a charge sheet against 11 individuals on May 14, followed by a supplementary charge sheet on June 27, 2026, naming two additional suspects. Among those charged are:
- Aamir Rashid Mir
- Jasir Bilal Wani
- Dr. Muzamil Shakeel
- Dr. Adeel Ahmed Rather
- Dr. Shaheen Saeed
- Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay
- Soyab
- Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla
- Yasir Ahmad Dar
The alleged main conspirator, Dr. Umer Un Nabi, died in the blast. Consequently, the court proceedings against him are expected to be abated. One other accused person remains absconding.
'Operation Heavenly Hind': A Plot to Overthrow the Government
According to the NIA, the blast was not an isolated incident but part of a larger "jihadi conspiracy." The agency alleges that the accused were associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2018.
Investigators claim that in 2022, a secret meeting was held in Srinagar where the outfit was reorganized as "AGuH Interim." This group allegedly launched a sinister plot titled "Operation Heavenly Hind," with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the democratically elected government of India and imposing Sharia rule.
Weaponry and Explosives
The NIA's probe revealed a sophisticated approach to terrorism. The agency alleges that the group:
- Recruited radicalized individuals, including medical professionals.
- Manufactured explosives using commercially available chemicals.
- Used Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) for the Red Fort blast after conducting multiple experiments.
- Illegally procured high-grade weapons, such as AK-47 rifles, Krinkov rifles, and country-made pistols.
- Experimented with rocket-based and drone-mounted IEDs specifically targeting security establishments.
Devastation and Legal Framework
The high-intensity Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) explosion near the Red Fort resulted in the deaths of 11 people, left several others injured, and caused significant damage to surrounding properties. To identify the deceased conspirator, Dr. Umer Un Nabi, the NIA relied on advanced scientific methods, including voice analysis and DNA fingerprinting.
The NIA has invoked several stringent laws in its prosecution, including:
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Explosive Substances Act
- Arms Act
- Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act
The legal proceedings are being led by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Madhav Khurana, supported by Public Prosecutor Anil Dabas and Trisha Mittal.