Patiala House Court Grants NIA More Time to Quiz Key Suspect in Capital Explosion Probe
Wani accused of modifying drones and fabricating rockets
In a significant development regarding the ongoing investigation into the high-profile Delhi Blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has secured additional time to interrogate one of the primary suspects. On Wednesday, the Special NIA Court located at the Patiala House Courts complex extended the remand of Jasir Bilal Wani for another week.
The decision came from Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana, who presides as the Special NIA Judge. The agency produced Wani before the court amid heightened security measures. Due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence involved and the gravity of the charges, the proceedings were held in a closed courtroom, away from public view. The court, after reviewing the agency's request, granted a further seven days of custody to allow detectives to extract more vital information regarding the terror plot.
The "Tech Support" Behind the Attack
Jasir Bilal Wani, also known by his alias "Danish," is emerging as a central figure in the technical execution of the conspiracy. According to the allegations levelled by the federal anti-terror agency, Wani was not merely a foot soldier but a key technical asset to the terror module.
Investigators suspect that Wani played a crucial role in modernizing the group's weaponry. He is accused of providing the necessary technical know-how to modify commercial drones for carrying out strikes. Even more alarming are the revelations that Wani was actively attempting to fabricate rockets to escalate the scale of attacks. These technical inputs were reportedly part of the preparations leading up to the deadly car bomb blast, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 10 civilians and left 32 others with injuries.
Timeline of the Arrest
Wani’s apprehension is a relatively recent breakthrough in the case. He is the second individual to be taken into custody by the NIA in connection with this specific terror module. An NIA team operating in the Kashmir Valley tracked him down and arrested him in Srinagar on November 17.
Following his transit and initial production before the court, he was originally sent to NIA custody for 10 days on November 18. As that period concluded, the agency returned to the court this Wednesday seeking an extension, citing the need to corroborate his statements with technical evidence and other intelligence inputs.
Unravelling the Conspiracy
The investigation has linked Wani to Qazigund in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA has described him as an "active co-conspirator" who worked in close coordination with another key terrorist identified as Umar Un Nabi. The agency believes that the duo meticulously planned the carnage, with Wani handling the logistics of weapon modification.
During his previous stint in custody, the court had granted a plea allowing Wani access to legal counsel on alternate days, ensuring his legal rights were maintained during the interrogation process.
The Wider Manhunt Continues
The National Investigation Agency has made it clear that the arrest of Wani is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. In a press statement, the agency indicated that its detectives are currently working on multiple leads to dismantle the entire ecosystem behind the bombing.
Specialized teams from the anti-terror unit are currently conducting sweep operations and searches across various states. The objective is to identify, locate, and apprehend every single individual who provided support—financial, logistical, or material—to the perpetrators of the Delhi blast. The extension of Wani’s custody is expected to provide fresh leads that could result in further arrests in the coming days as the agency tightens the net around the terror network.
