Dr. Shaheen Saeed: Delhi Blast Suspect's Journey from Liberal Doctor to Alleged Terror Recruiter

Dr Shaheen Saeed and her former husband Dr Hayat Zafar.

Lucknow-based doctor Shaheen Saeed, arrested in connection with a significant explosives seizure in Faridabad shortly before the bomb blast near Red Fort, held liberal views and wasn't notably religious, according to her former husband Dr Hayat Zafar.

Shaheen had expressed desires for the family, including their two children, to relocate to Australia or Europe prior to their separation in 2012, he mentioned.

Investigators claim Shaheen, a native of Daliganj in Lucknow who was apprehended on Monday, was directing the Jaish-e-Mohammed's women recruitment division in India. She led the Jamaat-ul-Mominat, the female wing of the organization.

"I maintain no connections with her. We don't share any close relationship. Our separation occurred in 2012. We have two children who reside with me. Our marriage was arranged. I haven't communicated with her since our separation," Dr Hayat stated.

"She was never particularly devout, and she held liberal views. She wanted us to establish our lives in Australia or Europe. Subsequently, we parted ways," he added.

Dr Hayat explained that disagreements about relocating to Australia contributed to their separation. "We had differences regarding moving to Australia. My children don't communicate with her. She was a pulmonology professor who completed her degree in 2006," he said.

Shaheen is also affiliated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad and maintained close ties with Dr Muzammil, a Kashmiri doctor who was likewise arrested following the discovery of 2,900 kg of explosives and inflammable materials in his two rented rooms in Faridabad.

The arrest coincided with an explosion that tore through a vehicle near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station, resulting in at least nine fatalities and numerous injuries.

According to police sources, over 52 individuals, including faculty members, students, and the principal of the medical college, underwent interrogation regarding the explosives found at the university.

On Tuesday, Shaheen's father expressed disbelief that she could be involved in such activities.

Her father, Syed Ahmad Ansari, told IANS that Dr Shaheen has three siblings.

"My eldest son, Shoaib, resides here with me. My second child, Shaheen Syed, was arrested yesterday. She studied medicine in Allahabad. My younger son, Parvez Ansari, whose residence was searched this morning, departed from the city long ago," he stated.

Ansari mentioned that Shaheen worked in Faridabad and was married to a Zafar.

"I find it difficult to believe that my daughter would participate in such activities," he remarked.

He noted that both Shaheen and Zafar pursued medical education, adding that he hasn't seen them for approximately eighteen months.

"I last spoke with Shaheen about a month ago, but I converse with Zafar nearly every week. I had no knowledge of Shaheen's arrest," he said.

Teams from the NIA and ATS also visited the home of Dr Shaheen's father in Lucknow following her detention in the Faridabad terror module case.

A professor at Al-Falah University previously alleged that Saeed often displayed inappropriate behavior on campus. "Saeed did not adhere to discipline. She would depart without informing anyone," the professor stated anonymously.

"Many individuals would visit her at the college. Her conduct was frequently unusual. Complaints about her had also been submitted to management," the professor added.

(With inputs from Arun Agrawal)