The Home Ministry on Tuesday handed over the Delhi blast investigation to the National Investigative Agency (NIA).
The blast occurred on Monday evening when a Haryana-registered car parked near Gate No.1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens.
The NIA was handed over the case after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday took stock of the investigation and the multi-state searches being conducted in the Delhi blast case, reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring the culprits to justice.
Chairing a meeting at his residence with top security officials, HM Shah issued strict instructions to officials to get to the bottom of the conspiracy at the earliest.
The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and NIA Director General (DG) Sadanand Vasant Date, while the Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat joined virtually.
A team of more than 500 security officials has been formed to investigate the blast, while security has been ramped up across Delhi-NCR, with NSG commandos deployed at key installations.
From IANS
A day after the deadly explosion in Delhi, the families and relatives of those Kashmiris involved in the blast or plot have pleaded complete ignorance about the involvement of these white collar terrorists in terror activities.
Dr Mohd Umar, who reportedly died in the blast after the i20 car driven by him exploded near the Red Fort, belonged to a poor family of Koil village in Pulwama district.
Umar’s mother, Shamima and two brothers, Zahoor and Ashiq, have been detained by police for questioning and also for matching the DNA. Dr Umar is believed to have carried out the suicide blast, apparently in panic after his associates, Dr Muzamil and Dr Adil, were arrested by the police.
Neighbours in Koil village said that Mohd Umar was a hard-working, studious boy, who did not show any terrorist leanings, although he was deeply religious right since his teens.
Mohd Umar’s father is mentally challenged. He lost his government teaching job after losing his balance of mind.
Neighbours said Umar’s family would say their difficult times had ended after Umar got a job following his completion of his MBBS from the prestigious Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar.
Mohd Umar had secured a seat in the medical college on merit.
Another white collar terrorist involved in this terror plot, Dr Muzamil, also belongs to Koil village. His father, Ashiq, is a local orchard owner, and the family is well-to-do.
Muzamil’s sister, Asmat, has also completed her MBBS training and his brother, Azad, is preparing for the NEET exam to make it to the medical school.
Family members said it is hard for them to believe that Muzamil is involved in the terror module.
From IANS
Lok Sabha member and Trinamool Congress general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, on Tuesday, demanded a court-monitored probe by a special investigation into the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station, killing eight people.
"An impartial, time-bound investigation must be conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), under court supervision if necessary, to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable," said Banerjee in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He also claimed that the Union Home Ministry should explain the "security lapses" in the national capital, considering Delhi Police come under its direct control.
"It is extremely distressing that such an incident has taken place in the heart of our national capital. The Delhi Police, under the Union Home Ministry, bears responsibility for maintaining law and order. How, then, are such grave lapses in security allowed to occur?" Banerjee questioned.
According to him, the sequence of developments before the blast poses questions about the state of internal security and hints at a lack of effective vigilance.
"Only yesterday morning, nearly 350 kg of explosives and an assault rifle were recovered from Faridabad in Haryana. Viewed together, these incidents raise alarming questions about internal security and the evident decline in vigilance," Banerjee said.
Meanwhile, initial investigation into the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station has hinted that this could be a suicide attack to cause maximum damage.
From IANS
On Monday evening, a Haryana-registered car, a Hyundai i20, parked near Gate No.1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens. Following Delhi Blast, high alerts have been issued in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Mumbai, and other states of India with security around crowded public places and religious sites enhanced.
Dr Umar Mohammad is suspected to be the suicide bomber who was behind the wheels of the white Hyundai i20 car that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening. His mother and brothers have been detained for questioning in Jammu and Kashmir.