Delhi Court Allows NIA To Cremate Red Fort Blast Victims, Suicide Bomber's Remains After Forensic Examination
The Delhi court permitted the NIA to dispose of the mortal remains of 11 victims and the alleged suicide bomber in the Red Fort blast case, directing that the bodies be handled with dignity while seeking a compliance report from the agency
Delhi court allowed the NIA to cremate and dispose of the mortal remains of 11 Red Fort blast victims and the alleged suicide bomber after completion of forensic examination
A Delhi Court on Monday permitted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to cremate or otherwise dispose of the mortal remains of 11 victims, including the alleged suicide bomber, in the Red Fort car bomb blast case, after noting that all necessary forensic examinations had been completed.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitambar Dutt of Patiala House Court allowed the agency's application seeking permission to dispose of the biological remains, observing that the process must be carried out with full dignity and in accordance with the religious beliefs of the deceased. The court also directed the NIA to file a compliance report after carrying out the exercise.
The NIA informed the court that forensic evidence, including DNA and other scientific material, had already been collected from the body parts of the victims as well as Umer Un Nabi, who allegedly drove the explosive-laden vehicle and died in the suicide blast.
The agency submitted that the remains had begun decomposing and sought judicial permission for their disposal.
The blast, which occurred near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10 last year, claimed 15 lives and left over two dozen persons injured.
The NIA has alleged that the attack was masterminded by Umer Un Nabi, a resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Medicine at Al Falah University, Faridabad. According to the agency, forensic reports established that Nabi was driving the improvised explosive device (IED)-laden car at the time of the explosion.
The agency has so far filed a 7,500-page chargesheet and a supplementary chargesheet, naming 13 accused, including Nabi, in connection with the conspiracy behind the high-intensity explosion.
Meanwhile, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman of the Al Falah Group, moved the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail on medical grounds, citing his wife's cancer treatment. During the hearing, Siddiqui offered to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of interim release. The High Court has reserved its order on the plea.
Background of the Case
Notably, on December 3, 2025 the Court had extended the NIA custody of Jasir Bilal Wani, a key accused in the Red Fort blast case, for another 7 days. The NIA had arrested Bilal in Srinagar on Monday, i.e. November 17, alleging that he provided technical expertise to support planned terror attacks. According to the agency’s statement, Bilal was involved in modifying drones and exploring ways to fabricate rockets in the period leading up to the explosion. Investigators claimed Bilal worked in close coordination with Umar un Nabi, identified as the alleged suicide bomber, and played a critical role in operational preparations for the planned “terror carnage.” The agency has described him as a key link in the conspiracy chain.
In a related news, on November 29, 2025, the Court remanded four accused; Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, Shaheena Saeed and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay, to 10 days’ judicial custody in connection with the Red Fort blast case.
On November 26, the Court had extended by ten days the National Investigation Agency’s custody of Amir Rashid Ali in connection with the Red Fort blast case. Ali was produced before the Court on expiry of his 10 day NIA custody. The Court had also remanded another accused, Soyab, to ten days of NIA custody in the same case. He is accused of providing logistical support to the terrorist Umar before the November 10 car bombing that killed several persons and injured many others outside the Red Fort in the national capital.
Earlier, on November 16, 2025, the Delhi Court had remanded Amir Rashid Ali, arrested in connection with the deadly Red Fort blast, to 10 days’ custody of the NIA. Ali, who hails from Samboora in Pampore, was apprehended in Delhi on Sunday, i.e. November 16, for his alleged role in facilitating the vehicle used as the car-borne improvised explosive device.
As per NIA, Ali had travelled to Delhi last year to help procure the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated near the Red Fort on November 10, killing 13 people and injuring several others. Ali of Samboora in Pampore, was taken into custody in Delhi after a sustained search operation launched following the NIA’s takeover of the investigation from Delhi Police. The car used in the blast was registered in his name.
Case Title: National Investigation Agency v. Umer Un Nabi and Ors.
Bench: Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitamber Dutt
Order Date: July 13, 2026