NIA Files 7,500-Page Chargesheet in Red Fort Car Blast Case, Names 10 Accused

Probe agency says deceased mastermind Dr Umer Un Nabi led Al-Qaida-linked module that plotted to overthrow government

The National Investigation Agency has submitted a massive 7,500-page chargesheet before a special court in connection with the Red Fort car bomb explosion that claimed 11 lives in the national capital last November. Ten individuals have been named as accused, including a former medical professor who died in the blast itself.

Mastermind Never Made It to Court

Dr Umer Un Nabi, described by investigators as the key conspirator, was killed during the 10 November 2025 attack. A former assistant professor of medicine at Al-Falah University, he was among several radicalised medical professionals allegedly involved in plotting what the agency calls "Operation Heavenly Hind".

The other nine accused include Aamir Rashid Mir, Jasir Bilal Wani, Dr Muzamil Shakeel, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, Soyab, Dr Bilal Naseer Malla and Yasir Ahmad Dar.

Terror Outfit Link Established

According to the agency, all accused were associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent. The chargesheet was filed at Patiala House Courts under multiple legal provisions including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Sources familiar with the matter said investigators worked extensively to establish the group's operational network across half a dozen states.

Probe Spanned Six States

The investigation covered Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Delhi-NCR region. The case file contains 588 witness statements, more than 395 documents and over 200 material exhibits.

Officials said the accused had regrouped in Srinagar back in 2022 after failing to reach Afghanistan via Turkey. It was at this meeting that they allegedly revived the outfit under the name "AGuH Interim".

Conspiracy to Overthrow Government

The NIA has alleged that the conspiracy was aimed at removing India's democratically elected government and imposing Sharia rule. Investigators claim the group actively recruited members, spread extremist ideology and stockpiled weapons.

What has alarmed security agencies is the level of technical sophistication. The explosive used in the attack was triacetone triperoxide, a highly volatile substance that the accused allegedly manufactured after procuring precursor chemicals and conducting repeated experiments.

Weapons and Drone Tests

The agency further claimed the group procured prohibited weapons including an AK-47 rifle, a Krinkov rifle and country-made pistols. Perhaps more concerning, they allegedly experimented with rocket-mounted and drone-borne improvised explosive devices intended for strikes on security installations in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.

Specialised laboratory equipment, including MMO anodes, electric circuits and switches, was purchased through both online and offline sources, investigators said.

So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the case. The NIA said efforts are continuing to locate additional suspects whose alleged roles emerged during the investigation.

Delhi Court Grants Bail to I-PAC Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel in Money Laundering Case

ED raises no objection as court releases Vinesh Kumar Chandel on regular bail a day after West Bengal polls begin, citing cooperation in probe linked to alleged coal pilferage.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Kumar Chandel, director and co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency informed the court it had no objection to his release.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts allowed the plea after taking on record the investigating officer’s statement. The court noted Chandel’s cooperation with the probe so far.

Bail Terms and Conditions

The court granted bail on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with a surety of the same amount. Standard conditions were imposed: Chandel cannot leave the country without prior permission, must not tamper with evidence, and has to continue cooperating with the investigation. The detailed order is expected to be uploaded shortly.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, assisted by advocate Abhishek Mishra, represented Chandel in the matter.

This development came just a day after the commencement of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections, where I-PAC has played a significant role in supporting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) campaign machinery.

Earlier Rejection of Interim Bail

Only days earlier, the same court had turned down Chandel’s application for interim bail. The judge had stressed that relief under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is not granted routinely, especially given the stringent provisions of Section 45.

Chandel had cited his 74-year-old mother’s dementia and other family health issues, including hypertension and related conditions. However, the court found no evidence of sudden life-threatening emergency or acute deterioration that would justify immediate release. Medical documents were deemed insufficient, and the presence of other family members, including his wife and brother, was noted as adequate support.

The court had also highlighted the serious nature of the allegations involving economic offences.

Background of the Case

Chandel was arrested by the ED on April 13 in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe stemming from an alleged coal pilferage case in West Bengal. He was later sent to 14 days of judicial custody on April 23 after the expiry of ED remand. The case traces back to an ECIR registered on March 28, based on an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing.

According to the ED, proceeds of crime from the coal scam—running into crores—were allegedly laundered through structured transactions, including splitting of accounted and unaccounted cash, bogus invoices, and hawala channels. I-PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd and its directors, including Chandel who holds a significant stake, came under scrutiny for their alleged role in concealing and layering such funds. Initial probes pointed to around ₹20 crore or more being routed through such networks.

Raids were conducted earlier at multiple locations linked to I-PAC officials across cities.

I-PAC’s Role in TMC’s Campaign Strategy

I-PAC gained prominence for its data-driven approach in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where it helped shape TMC’s organisational strategy under Mamata Banerjee. The firm handled aspects ranging from candidate selection and booth-level micro-management to crafting speeches, social media content, posters, and slogans.

In the run-up to the 2026 polls, I-PAC reportedly analysed booth-level data from previous elections, categorising seats by strength and margins. Seats with narrow victories up to 15,000 votes received special attention. The team was also involved in monitoring Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, deploying shadow agents to assist voters facing deletions, and providing real-time ground inputs through a dedicated team that organised small-scale meetings.

The firm’s deep involvement had made it a key pillar of TMC’s election machinery, though the party has developed internal capacities over the years to handle data and outreach.

Political Timing and Reactions

The arrest, which came weeks before the polls, triggered strong reactions from TMC leaders, who questioned the timing and described the ED action as politically motivated. The development added another layer of tension in what is already a keenly contested election in the state.

With Chandel’s release on regular bail, the focus now shifts to the continuation of the investigation. The ED’s decision not to oppose bail has been noted, though the agency retains the right to pursue the case further.

Legal experts point out that while bail has been granted, the underlying PMLA case involves serious allegations that could have implications for the financial trail being examined. Chandel is expected to remain bound by the court’s conditions as the probe proceeds.

The case continues to draw attention not just for its legal merits but also for its intersection with the high-stakes political battle in West Bengal. Further developments, including the uploading of the detailed bail order, are awaited.

Jacqueline Fernandez seeks to turn approver in Sukesh Chandrashekhar case; Delhi court issues notice to ED

The actress filed a formal plea at the Patiala House Court expressing willingness to testify for the prosecution in the ₹200-crore money laundering investigation.

 In a significant turn of events for one of India's most high-profile financial scandals, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has moved a Delhi court seeking to become an "approver" in the ₹200-crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

The development surfaced during a hearing at the Patiala House Court on Friday, where the actress expressed her intent to cooperate with the prosecution. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking its response to Fernandez's application by April 20.

Formal plea for pardon

According to legal sources, Fernandez filed the application through her counsel, expressing readiness to provide a "full and true disclosure" of the facts surrounding the case.

The court directed the actress to submit a formal request to the ED, as the agency must first evaluate her statement before deciding whether to support her transition from an accused to a prosecution witness.

Shift in legal strategy

This move marks a dramatic shift in Fernandez’s legal strategy. For months, the actress had maintained her status as a victim of Chandrashekhar's "sophisticated fraud," claiming she was unaware of the illicit source of the lavish gifts she received.

However, after the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court declined to quash the criminal proceedings against her, legal experts suggest that turning approver may be an attempt to secure a pardon under Section 306 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Details of alleged gifts

The ED has previously alleged that Fernandez was a direct beneficiary of the proceeds of crime. The agency’s supplementary chargesheet detailed gifts worth over ₹7 crore, including designer bags, luxury cars, and expensive jewellery.

Reports also indicated that Chandrashekhar went as far as gifting a customized private jet and a French vineyard to the actress, though these claims remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Victims of the scam

The case stems from an FIR filed by Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh, who alleged that Chandrashekhar cheated her of ₹200 crore.

Chandrashekhar allegedly posed as a high-ranking government official from the Law Ministry while operating out of Rohini Jail to orchestrate the massive extortion racket.

Official stance on status

While Fernandez seeks to testify against Chandrashekhar, the ED has previously argued that she was "consciously involved" in using the proceeds of crime.

The agency's response on Monday will be crucial in determining if her testimony offers enough evidentiary value to warrant a pardon, especially as the case reaches the stage of arguments on charges.

Future legal outlook

If the court and the ED accept her plea, Fernandez will be required to testify truthfully against all co-accused, including Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paul.

Failure to provide a full disclosure after being granted approver status could lead to her being tried for the original offences as well as for giving false evidence. For now, the actress has been granted permission to travel abroad for professional commitments later this month.

As the ₹200-crore money laundering case continues to grab national headlines, all eyes are now on the ED's upcoming response to this latest legal gambit in the Trending News India circuit.