The Rouse Avenue Court on 14 November heard arguments on behalf of accused Muzammil Shakeel and Shaheen Saeed in the Delhi Red Fort blast conspiracy case.
The defence counsel argued that the two accused had no connection with the purchase of the car used in the November 10, 2025, blast near the Red Fort, which claimed several lives and left many others injured. It was further submitted that there was no communication between the two accused and the other persons allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
Special Judge (NIA) Prashant Sharma heard the submissions in a closed courtroom. The matter has been listed for November 17 for arguments on behalf of another accused, Shoaib.
Advocate M.S. Khan, along with Advocates Rahul Sahani and Zahbi Tihami, appeared for the accused. Senior Advocate Madhav Khaurana, Special Public Prosecutor, represented the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Opposing the defence submissions, the NIA argued that sufficient material was available on record to frame charges against all the accused. The agency maintained that there was adequate evidence indicating a conspiracy among them.
According to the prosecution's allegations, Umar Un Nabi was left panicked after learning about the arrests of his associates from Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana.
During the hearing, the defence argued that Muzammil Shakeel and Shaheen Saeed could not have been part of the conspiracy behind the November 10 blast, as they had been arrested on October 29 and November 9, respectively.
Counsel for Muzammil Shakeel submitted that the car allegedly used by Umar Un Nabi in the blast was purchased from a Faridabad-based car dealer on October 30. However, Shakeel had already been arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on October 29 in connection with the larger conspiracy case.
The defence further pointed out that the vehicle was registered in the name of Amir Rashid and argued that Shakeel neither facilitated nor financed its purchase. He was also not seen in the CCTV footage relied upon by the prosecution, counsel submitted.
According to the defence, the CCTV footage showed Umar Un Nabi, Amir Rashid and another accused, Jasir Bilal Wani. Advocate M.S. Khan argued that there was no communication between Shakeel and the other accused persons, questioning the basis for linking him to the blast conspiracy.
With regard to Shaheen Saeed, the defence submitted that he was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police from Lucknow on November 9, a day before the blast. Counsel questioned whether Umar Un Nabi and Amir Rashid could have anticipated Shakeel's arrest on October 29 and how either accused could be connected to the alleged conspiracy behind the November 10 attack.
The NIA had filed a chargesheet against 11 accused, including Umar Un Nabi, on June 4 after completing its investigation. Umar Un Nabi, who was allegedly involved in the blast, died in the explosion. The agency subsequently filed a supplementary chargesheet against two additional accused.
The court will continue hearing arguments on the framing of charges on November 17.
