Red Fort blast case: No evidence found; NIA releases four, including three doctors
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released four individuals, three doctors and a fertiliser dealer, who were detained in connection with the November 10 Red Fort blast, after investigators found no concrete evidence linking them to the main accused, Dr Umar Un Nabi. The development was first reported by India Today.
Dr Rehan, Dr Mohammad, Dr Mustaqeem and fertiliser trader Dinesh Singla were arrested from Haryana’s Nuh district. All four had past links with Umar and were associated with Al-Falah University, which has come under the radar over suspected terror-related activities. Investigators also examined whether explosive materials were procured from any fertiliser dealer, but no such link could be established.
After three days of intensive questioning, officials found no substantial evidence or digital footprint connecting them to the blast conspiracy. Their families confirmed their release but declined to comment further. NIA will, however, continue to keep them under watch.
So far, seven individuals from the Mewat region have been detained in the case, of whom four have now been freed. The investigation has expanded into Mewat based on new leads gathered from abandoned mobile phones and CCTV footage recovered from the blast site.
The November 10 explosion near the Red Fort, which destroyed a Hyundai i20 car, claimed 13 lives and left several injured. NIA has identified Dr Umar, a medical professional from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, working at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, as the key orchestrator of the attack.
Investigators say they have uncovered a “white-coat terror module’’ involving highly educated individuals, including medical professionals. Nearly 3,000 kg of explosives were recovered during raids linked to the module. Officials suspect Umar may have triggered the blast prematurely after sensing that the operation had been compromised.
Further investigations indicate a larger conspiracy targeting multiple cities, with alleged links to terror outfits. Arrests have been made from different parts of the country, particularly from Jammu and Kashmir, as the probe continues.
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3 convicted for murder of Bengal councillor
Barasat (PTI): A court in West Bengal’s Barrackpore on Monday convicted three people for killing a councillor of Panihati Municipality in North 24 Parganas district.
Sanjib Pandit, Amit Pandit and Ziarul Mandal were convicted by the SDJM Court, Barrackpore, for the murder of Anupam Dutta, councillor of ward number 8 of the civic body in the city’s northern fringes, on March 13, 2022.
The court would declare the quantum of punishment on December 17.
Dutta was shot dead in the crowded Agarpara North Station Road, and his killing led to massive protests in the area in subsequent days.
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Local MLA Nirmal Ghosh had led a series of protests on B T Road and Tentultala More during March 2022, demanding the arrest of the assailants.
Police arrested one person based on CCTV footage, and nabbed two others after interrogating him.
Dutta's wife became the councilor following his death.
A large crowd from his ward, including many waving TMC flags, had on Monday assembled in front of the court premises, demanding strict punishment for the culprits.
