Delhi Court Remands Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla to Judicial Custody
Background of the Case
New Delhi: A Delhi court has placed Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla in judicial custody for 13 days, extending until January 16. His arrest is linked to the Red Fort blast incident that occurred on November 10. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) presented him at the Patiala House Court on Saturday, following the conclusion of his 8-day custody, which was granted on December 26. Notably, media personnel were not allowed to cover the court proceedings.
Court Proceedings
The accused appeared before Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, who ordered his custody until January 16. Dr. Malla was apprehended on December 9 and is considered a significant figure in the conspiracy surrounding the blast.
Details of the Investigation
The NIA’s investigation indicates that Dr. Malla provided logistical support to the suicide bomber responsible for the explosion outside the Red Fort, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals. Additionally, he faces allegations of destroying evidence related to the attack, according to information disclosed by the agency on December 9.
Arrests Related to the Case
To date, the NIA has arrested nine individuals in connection with the Red Fort blast, including three doctors: Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, and Shaheen Sayeed, along with a religious preacher, Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay.
Recent Developments
On Friday, a Delhi court remanded the three doctors and the preacher to 12 days of judicial custody. The accused were presented before Principal and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna at Patiala House Courts after their four-day NIA custody, which was granted on December 8.
Further Investigations
The NIA continues to probe the incident, having questioned 48 staff members from Al-Falah University, including 30 doctors, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Red Fort blast.