Investigators have uncovered new details in the Red Fort blast case. They found that the main suspect, Dr Mohammad Umar un-Nabi, hid in Haryana’s Nuh district for days and used multiple mobile phones to evade police.
The findings add a new twist to the case as agencies now explore whether he had local support and what routes he used while fleeing. Twelve people died and several suffered injuries after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort in Delhi.
Suspect Stayed in a Rented Room
Police learned that Umar un-Nabi stayed at a rented room in Nuh until the day before the Delhi blast. Police believe he fled Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad after the arrest of his associate, Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie.
CCTV footage showed Umar at a pollution check centre with the i20 car and also at a shop where he got his phone repaired. But things changed after Ganaie’s arrest.
According to investigation records accessed by HT, Umar fled to Nuh on October 30. A nursing staff member at Al-Falah University, Shobah Khan, helped him escape and took him to his sister-in-law Afsana’s house. She rented Umar one of her four rooms for ₹6,000, including rent and security.
Afsana’s daughter told HT that Umar stayed locked inside most of the time. She said, “He never came out of the room during the day. He had two smartphones and would step out only after dark, mostly to eat dinner from roadside eateries.”
She added, “He seemed very serious, never spoke to anyone, and lived in the same clothes for eleven days.” She also said, “He left suddenly on the night of November 9. The room was stinking and we were scared. Later, we heard about the bomb blast on TV, then the police came and took my uncle and mother for questioning. They have not returned yet.”
Police Say Umar Used Multiple Phones
CCTV footage from Faridabad showed Umar carrying at least two mobile phones around 11 days before the blast. Investigators believe he used these to confuse surveillance teams. But the forensic exam of the blast-hit i20 car did not show any signs of a mobile phone inside. Police suspect he threw them away before executing the plan.
Two Red Fort Metro Gates Reopen After Blast
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reopened two entry gates of the Lal Quila station days after the explosion. DMRC said on X, “Gate numbers two and three at Lal Quila Metro Station are now open for commuters.” The gates were shut on Monday evening after the blast. Other stations remained open.
Nowgam Blast Links to Faridabad Seizure
A separate but connected blast hit the Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said the blast killed nine people. They said the seized explosive material from Faridabad was being checked when the blast occurred. Police earlier recovered 360 kg of explosives from the rented home of the arrested suspect, Muzammil Ganaie.
Investigators Look at Support Network in Nuh
Police now suspect a wider support network in Nuh that may have helped Umar hide and escape. They are mapping his local contacts and examining whether others provided him with food, transport, or communication support. Investigators also want to know if Nuh served as a planned safe house for the group.
