Investigators probing the Delhi explosion near the Red Fort have pieced together a clearer picture of what suspect Umar Mohammed, also known as Umar un-Nabi, was doing in the hours leading up to the deadly incident.
According to a report by NDTV citing sources, Umar did not step out of the car even once during the roughly three hours he spent in a public parking bay close to Sunehri Masjid, where CCTV footage captured him entering at 3.19 pm and leaving at 6.28 pm. the blast occurred around 6.52 pm.
The report citing sources says that once Umar reached Delhi earlier that morning, he stayed in continuous communication with his handlers. Investigators believe much of their discussion revolved around settling on a target, with the parking zone near the Red Fort eventually being considered because of its symbolic value. However, it was a Monday and the Red Fort was closed to visitors, leaving the parking lot nearly deserted. With this setback, the initial plan was abandoned.
Officials now suggest that while stationary in the nearly empty parking area, Umar used the time to put together the explosive device. The revelation that the assembly happened in such a public yet quiet spot has added a new dimension to the case. Once he completed the device, he drove out and moved toward Netaji Subhash Marg -- an area bustling with traffic between the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk -- where he is believed to have triggered the explosion shortly after joining the flow of vehicles.
The report says that the decision to shift the blast site from the parking area to the busy road was made quickly by Umar and his handlers once they realised the original location would not draw crowds.
Meanwhile, under a large-scale verification drive carried out after the blast, the Delhi Police has registered cases against 250 people across the North district, mostly for not completing the mandatory police verification process, PTI reported citing an official on Tuesday.
The blast triggered by a suicide bomber, which followed the busting of a white-collar terror module spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, claimed 15 lives and injured several others.
"We have registered multiple FIRs after tenant and lodge verifications. So far, 250 people have been booked," DCP (North) Raja Banthia told PTI.
Most FIRs pertain to people living in north Delhi who did not complete the mandatory police verification process, the officer said. A significant number of lodges and small guest houses have also been booked for failing to follow the verification norms, he added.
Police said the step was necessary since the blast was triggered in a high-footfall area, prompting the authorities to tighten checks. "Multi-agency search and verification drives were launched on a war-footing (after the blast). Police teams have visited more than 2,500 houses, checked ID proofs of the occupants, and questioned several people. The process will continue," the DCP said.
The offenders can be booked under Section 223(a) (disobedience to a public servant's lawful order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which carries a prison term of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 2,500, or both. As part of the process, verification camps have been set up at all police stations of the North district, where people have been advised to cooperate, police said.
Investigators from specialised units and central agencies have been roped in to conduct door-to-door checks, they said.
With agency inputs
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