Delhi Court Prolongs NIA Custody of Five Accused in Red Fort Blast Case
New Delhi, Jan 15 (KNC): A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the NIA custody of five accused in the Red Fort blast case till January 16, allowing the agency additional time for custodial interrogation.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna approved the National Investigation Agency’s request, granting continued custody of Dr Adeel Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed, Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay and Jasir Bilal Wani, officials said, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC.
The NIA, in its remand application, submitted that the accused need to be confronted with other co-accused, suspects and witnesses over several contradictory statements that have emerged during the investigation.
The agency further told the court that the accused possess exclusive knowledge of crucial facts linked to multiple locations, including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and the Delhi-NCR, which have surfaced through witness testimonies and technical analysis of data retrieved from seized digital devices.
Investigators also pointed to the emergence of code words and other incriminating material following earlier rounds of interrogation, stating that detailed questioning is required to explain these aspects and establish their relevance to the case.
The NIA maintained that extended custody is essential to unravel the larger conspiracy, identify additional individuals connected to the attack, trace communication trails, map movements of suspects and conduct crime simulation.
The Red Fort blast took place on November 10 last year, when a car laden with explosives, driven by suicide bomber Umar-un-Nabi, detonated near the Red Fort, killing 15 people.
So far, the National Investigation Agency has arrested nine accused in connection with the case. (KNC)
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