In a major development in the Red Fort blast investigation, the Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) ten days’ custody of Jasir Bilal Wani, a suspected co-conspirator and a close aide of the primary accused Umar Nabi. The arrest and subsequent remand reflect the agency’s accelerated efforts to piece together the larger conspiracy behind the November 10 explosion that has so far claimed 15 lives and left several more injured.
Who is Jasir Bilal Wani?
Wani, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, is believed to have played a significant operational role in assisting Umar Nabi. According to sources, Wani was in close communication with Nabi in the weeks leading up to the blast. Investigators have alleged that he helped coordinate logistics, provided ground support, and may have been involved in the movement of materials used in the i20 car that ultimately exploded near the iconic Red Fort.
NIA officials produced Wani in court on Tuesday, stressing the need for extended custody to interrogate him thoroughly, verify his links, and track down others who may have been involved in funding, planning, or providing shelter to the suspects. The court agreed, granting the agency ten days of custodial interrogation.
NIA’s First Arrest and the Expanding Probe
Wani’s arrest comes just a day after the NIA made its first arrest in the case, marking a significant turning point in the investigation. The blast, which occurred on the evening of November 10, near one of India’s most visited heritage sites, sent shockwaves across the capital. CCTV footage, mobile data, and eyewitness accounts helped investigators focus on the movement of the white Hyundai i20 driven by Umar Nabi.
In the days following the incident, the NIA traced Nabi’s route from Faridabad to the Red Fort area, covering almost 150 km in about 7 hours, during which he reportedly made multiple halts. According to investigators, these stops were crucial and may include locations where he coordinated with accomplices, checked communication devices, or waited for instructions.
ED Conducts Raids at Al-Falah University and Related Entities
In a parallel string of events that indicates a widening investigative net, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out extensive raids early Tuesday morning at the Al-Falah University campus, its trustees’ properties, and several associated entities in Delhi’s Okhla region.
This comes after it was revealed that Umar Nabi had been working as an assistant professor in the General Medicine department at the university’s Faridabad campus. His employment history, financial records, travel patterns, and potential ideological affiliations are now under the scanner.
The ED is probing whether any financial transactions or funds linked to the university or its individuals played a role in the planning of the blast. Officials seized electronic devices, internal documents, and financial ledgers during the raids. The agency is also examining whether funds were siphoned through educational or charitable fronts.
The Blast That Shook Delhi
The explosion outside the Red Fort , a heavily guarded and historically sensitive location, has raised multiple concerns regarding urban security, vehicular checks, and surveillance gaps. The blast took place during the busy evening hours, causing widespread panic among locals, tourists, and security personnel deployed in the area.
The NIA has maintained that the blast was not accidental, but a planned act involving at least a few individuals with coordinated motives. Investigators are trying to determine if the attack had links to extremist groups or if it was driven by local radical networks.
Delhi’s Pollution Crisis Deepens Amid Ongoing Investigations
While Delhi grapples with the aftermath of the blast, the capital continues to fight another relentless crisis: hazardous air pollution.
On November 18, the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘Severe’ category across the Delhi-NCR region. Despite shutdowns, controlled emissions, and temporary bans, air quality has shown no signs of meaningful improvement.
- Overall AQI at 7 AM: 446
- Equivalent Health Impact: Breathing this air = smoking 10 cigarettes a day
- Most polluted areas:
- Bawana: AQI 419
- Jahangirpuri: AQI 414
Experts from the Early Warning System have warned that high pollution levels may continue due to stagnant wind patterns and increased winter inversions. Residents have been advised to limit outdoor exposure, especially during early mornings and late evenings.
What Lies Ahead
With Wani’s arrest and ED’s parallel actions, the Red Fort blast investigation is expected to move into a more intensive phase. The NIA is likely to make more arrests as forensic reports, digital footprints, and financial trails begin to converge.
Delhi continues to remain on high alert, with additional security deployments in heritage zones, Metro stations, and high-footfall public areas.