Delhi Red Fort Blast Case Court Takes Cognisance of NIA Chargesheet

New Delhi, August 29, 2026; A Special NIA Court at Rouse Avenue on Saturday formally took cognisance of the chargesheet filed in connection with the November 2025 Red Fort blast case, paving the way for further proceedings against the accused.

Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma considered the prosecution complaints filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and directed that copies of the chargesheet be supplied to the accused. The matter will next come up for hearing on September 9.

The investigating agency has filed a 7,500-page chargesheet naming 11 accused persons and has cited 588 witnesses in support of its case. A supplementary chargesheet against two additional accused was submitted later.

Several accused, including 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 and Yasir Ahmad Dar, were produced before the court through video conferencing.

The case relates to a high-intensity car bomb explosion near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025. The blast claimed 11 lives, left several people injured and caused substantial damage to surrounding property.

The prosecution has invoked various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Dr Umer Un Nabi has been identified by investigators as a key accused in the alleged conspiracy. However, he died in the explosion, and the proceedings against him are proposed to be closed on account of his death. Another accused remains absconding.

According to the prosecution, the investigation uncovered an alleged extremist conspiracy involving members associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, which investigators have linked to the Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent network.

The probe covered several states and the Delhi-NCR region. Investigators relied on witness statements, documentary evidence, seized materials and forensic findings while building the case.

The prosecution has also alleged that the accused were involved in activities including recruitment, radicalisation, illegal arms procurement and the preparation of explosives. Forensic examination and other scientific techniques were reportedly used to establish the identity of the deceased accused.

With the court taking cognisance of the chargesheet, the case will now proceed to the next stage of judicial scrutiny.