Red Fort blast accused Umar Nabi radicalised students at Al Falah university, had history of mental health issues: Report

Umar Nabi

Red Fort blast accused Dr Umar Nabi, once regarded as a bright academic mind at Al Falah University, used his authority on campus to push hardline ideology among students who looked up to him, according to J&K Police sources cited by CNN-News18.

Officials told CNN-News18 that Umar, a key figure in the Faridabad terror module, leveraged his popularity to influence young minds, urging Muslim students to pray five times daily and adopt a far more rigid interpretation of Islam. Though academically strong, he was described as an introvert with unpredictable mood swings who frequently intimidated juniors and clashed with senior colleagues, leading to multiple complaints about his temper.

Police sources further told CNN-News18 that Umar’s erratic conduct was not solely the product of radicalisation but also tied to a family history of severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia. This background may have contributed to his instability, growing isolation, and what some reports suggest was a split personality.

As his extremist beliefs intensified, Umar’s influence reportedly spread across student communities from several states, ranging from Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir to Manipur. Agencies are now examining the role of a woman student from Imphal, whom Umar is believed to have radicalised.

The dramatic shift from respected lecturer to a central accused in the November 10 Red Fort bombing is now the subject of a wide-ranging probe. Investigators are mapping Umar’s movements between October 30 when his associate Dr Muzammil was arrested and the day of the blast, which killed 13 people and injured several others.

CCTV footage from the day of the explosion captured a man matching Umar’s profile near Asaf Ali Road, not far from the blast site. Later that day, a vehicle packed with explosives was spotted near Connaught Place, with evidence indicating Umar was behind the wheel.

After Muzammil’s arrest, Umar went underground. Forensic experts eventually matched his DNA to samples recovered from the Red Fort blast site, conclusively tying him to the attack, CNN-News18 reported.

Investigators are continuing to reconstruct Umar’s operational network, the extent of his radicalisation influence, and the chain of events leading to the deadly explosion.