Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 13: A Delhi court on Friday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) an additional 45 days to complete its investigation into the Red Fort blast that killed 11 people and injured several others.

The Patiala House Court partially allowed the NIA’s request for a 90-day extension, setting the deadline for completion of its probe within the extended period. The judicial custody of the seven accused in the case has also been extended until March 13.

Accused Shoaib appeared physically in court, while the remaining six were present via video conferencing. Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma had allowed the NIA to interrogate accused Yasir Ahmad Dar for 10 more days and extended custody for co-accused Dr Bilal Naseer Malla.

Dar, a resident of Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, is the ninth accused arrested in connection with the attack. He was taken into custody in New Delhi under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. According to the NIA, Dar actively participated in the conspiracy behind the car bomb blast on November 10 and had pledged to carry out self-sacrificial operations.

The agency also stated that Dar maintained close contact with other accused, including the deceased perpetrator Dr Umar Nabi and Mufti Irfan. Dr Malla of Baramulla, the eighth accused, was arrested on December 9 in Delhi. The NIA alleges that he provided logistical support to Umar Nabi and was involved in destroying evidence related to the attack.

The NIA continues to probe the broader conspiracy behind the Red Fort blast, working with central and state agencies to uncover all connections and accomplices involved.