Delhi Blast Investigation: How Suspects Used Pollution Certificate to Avoid Vehicle Checking

The Hyundai i20 involved in the explosion near Delhi's Red Fort had a Haryana registration plate.

New Delhi:

As investigators delve deeper into Monday's explosion near Red Fort in Delhi, new revelations continue to surface. The blast, which occurred at 6:52 pm, claimed nine lives and left 20 others injured.

According to sources who spoke with NDTV, Dr. Umar Mohammad, the car owner, reportedly triggered the explosion in panic after learning that investigators had apprehended two key members of the network - Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather - and confiscated explosives.

Recent findings indicate that the Hyundai i20 underwent pollution certification before entering Delhi, seemingly to avoid scrutiny. Prior to the incident, the vehicle was reportedly stored at a college campus in Faridabad for 12 days. The suspects were employed at this educational institution.

The strategic pollution check appears linked to Delhi's heightened environmental measures. With deteriorating air quality, Delhi police have been conducting random vehicle checks for pollution certificates and imposing fines on non-compliant vehicles.

Vehicles registered outside Delhi face particular scrutiny during such inspections. The i20 used in the explosion carried a Haryana license plate. Investigators believe the suspects may have feared vehicle seizure upon entering Delhi, prompting them to obtain pollution certification immediately after purchasing the car.

Records show the car, bearing license plate HR 26 CE 7674, was purchased on October 29 and underwent pollution testing that same day in Faridabad. CCTV footage from that afternoon captured three individuals with the vehicle at Royal Car Zone in Sector 37, Faridabad.

Authorities suspect one of these individuals was Tariq, in whose name Dr. Umar purchased the vehicle. Sources indicate Tariq played a significant role in the events leading to the explosion. The owner of Royal Car Zone, identified as Sonu, has been detained for questioning in connection with the case.

According to some reports, after obtaining the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, Dr. Umar Mohammad allegedly took the i20 to Al-Falah Medical College, his workplace in Faridabad, parking it beside Dr. Mujammil Shakeel's Swift Dzire.

These reports suggest the i20 remained at the college from October 29 to November 10, before Dr. Umar allegedly acted in panic following the arrests of his colleagues Dr. Shakeel and Dr. Rather, who also worked at the medical institution. However, Faridabad police have contradicted these claims, denying that the vehicle was ever parked on campus.