Red Fort Blast Case: NIA Custody of Five Accused Extended Until January 16

January 14, 2026

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) extended the NIA custody of five accused in the Red Fort blast case until January 16. The accused include three doctors and a cleric.

Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, accepting the NIA’s plea, ordered the extension of the custodial interrogation of Dr. Adil Rather, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, Dr. Muzammil Ganai, cleric Irfan Ahmed Wagay, and Jasir Bilal Wani.

NIA Argument: Face-to-Face Interrogation Necessary

The NIA stated in its remand application that the accused needed to be questioned face-to-face with other co-accused, suspects, and witnesses on certain conflicting points. The agency stated that the accused possessed several crucial pieces of information.

Clues Connect Multiple States, Digital Evidence Also Important

According to the NIA, some facts related to the case relate to Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. This information was revealed based on witness statements and technical analysis of seized digital devices.

The agency told the court that since the previous detention, certain “code words” and other incriminating material had emerged, which needed to be deciphered by the accused. Furthermore, the need for extended custody was stated to uncover a larger conspiracy and identify other individuals involved.

Emphasis on tracing communications and activities

The NIA also stated that a thorough investigation is necessary through “crime simulation” to trace the flow of communications, the movements of the accused, and the sequence of events related to the case.

According to the investigating agency, suicide bomber Umar-un-Nabi was driving a car packed with explosives that exploded outside the Red Fort on November 10 last year, killing 15 people.

The NIA has so far arrested a total of nine accused in this case.