NEW DELHI: Investigators have meticulously reconstructed the movements of Dr. Umar Nabi, the prime suspect in the deadly Delhi blast near the Red Fort on Monday, using footage from over 50 CCTV cameras. The explosion resulted in 13 fatalities and left several others injured. The detailed tracking reveals Umar's journey from Faridabad to the Red Fort, providing crucial insights into the events leading up to the explosion.
On November 10th, Umar was captured entering Delhi through the Badarpur toll plaza around 8:02 am, driving a white Hyundai i20. This vehicle was later identified as the one that exploded near the Red Fort. Authorities noted that Umar, who was wearing a mask, paid the toll in cash while frequently glancing at the CCTV camera. A large bag, suspected to contain explosives, was observed in the car's back seat.
Further footage shows Umar walking along a narrow street near a mosque close to Ramlila Maidan. During this time, his face became clearly visible on camera. Police believe that he visited the mosque to offer prayers before heading towards the Red Fort. According to a senior police officer, Umar's repeated glances at the CCTV cameras suggest that he was aware of being tracked and was consciously monitoring his surroundings.
The Delhi Police have pieced together Umar's route through several districts using the extensive CCTV footage. He was initially spotted on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway after entering Delhi via the Badarpur border. His route included areas in Southeast, East, and Central Delhi, before heading north to Ashok Vihar, where he stopped to eat. Later, he returned to central Delhi and visited a mosque near Asaf Ali Road before arriving at the Red Fort parking lot at 3:19 pm.
The white i20 was then seen in the Sunehri Masjid parking area, where it remained stationary for nearly three hours. CCTV footage from inside the parking lot showed that Umar mostly stayed inside the car during those three hours and did not meet anyone. He was observed getting out of the vehicle at various times to check his mobile phone. Investigators suspect he was waiting for instructions and are analyzing his mobile phone data to confirm this.
Before entering Delhi, Umar spent the night at a dhaba along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. On October 29, Umar and two others were seen near a pollution checking station in Faridabad. Investigators are tracing the car's movements before and after October 29.
According to police sources, Umar's movements indicate meticulous planning and deliberate attempts to avoid detection. During the day, he also went to Connaught Place and Mayur Vihar before parking the car in the Sunehri Masjid parking lot in Chandni Chowk. The blast occurred at approximately 6:52 pm near the Red Fort Metro Station.
