Post by : Rameen Ariff

A sense of alarm surged through Delhi's court complexes on Tuesday as Patiala House, Saket, and Tis Hazari courts received threatening emails, prompting immediate evacuations and extensive security measures. The threats coincided with the scheduled appearance of Jasir Bilal Wani, a co-accused in the Red Fort blast, before the Principal Sessions Judge at Patiala House Court.

Officials later announced that the threats were unfounded, raising concerns as investigations into the November 10 Red Fort explosion continue, which resulted in over 10 fatalities.

Emergency Response at Patiala House

The first alarm at Patiala House Court was triggered by an email warning about a bomb on-site, just hours ahead of Wani's court appearance. Rapid Action Force (RAF), Delhi Police, bomb disposal units, and canine squads swiftly secured the area as it was thoroughly checked.

Security was substantially increased as Wani, NIA’s second major suspect in the case, was escorted to court following his prior arrest by Jammu and Kashmir Police. Known as Danish, Wani was detained alongside his uncle last weekend.

Despite the frights, court procedures resumed, leading the judge to order 10 days of NIA custody for Wani for further questioning.

Saket and Tis Hazari Courts Faced Similar Threats

Shortly after the initial alert at Patiala House, both Saket Court and Tis Hazari Court reported receiving similar bomb threat emails.

Saket Bar Association Secretary Anil Basoya confirmed that court operations were suspended for about two hours as security inspections took place. Tis Hazari Court officials also acknowledged the threats.

“There is no fear among us. Courts are back to regular operations,” said Tarun Rana, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association.

The Red Fort Blast Investigation: An Overview

These bomb threats arrive amidst significant developments in the inquiry surrounding the Red Fort blast, which continues to reveal a complex web of terror linked to the November incident.

The NIA's arrest of Jasir Bilal Wani, allegedly influenced by the main suspect, Dr. Umar un Nabi—now identified as a suicide bomber—adds to the unfolding narrative. Although Wani was believed to have shied away from suicide missions, he remained active in providing assistance to the group.

Wani’s family resides adjacent to Dr. Adil Rather and Dr. Muzaffar Rather, who are pivotal to the Faridabad terror operations. While Adil has been apprehended in Uttar Pradesh, Muzaffar is still unaccounted for.

The explosion was executed using a vehicle-borne IED concealed in a Hyundai i20, which detonated near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. Forensic analysis confirmed that Umar un Nabi was at the vehicle's wheel at the time.

Investigation into False Threats

Even though the bomb threats were deemed to be fabrications, their coincidental timing—aligning with Wani's court hearing—has spurred speculation on their intent to disrupt, divert attention, or instill public anxiety.

Security officials are probing the emails' origin to ascertain any connection to the terror network or to identify mischief amid a sensitive investigation.

The Road Ahead

Investigators are diligently assessing the broader scope of the Red Fort blast conspiracy, delving into:

• Possibilities of additional radicals.

• Potential external operatives.

• Sources and transit of explosives.

• Links to past suicide terrorism patterns.

As the case unfolds, further arrests are anticipated in the upcoming days.

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