The Union Cabinet condemned the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, categorizing it as a “heinous terrorist incident” and pledging to bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to national security.

The Cabinet expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives during the attack. In remembrance of the victims, members observed two minutes of silence. Union Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, remarked on the unfortunate event, stating, “The country has witnessed a heinous terrorist incident perpetrated by anti-national forces through a car explosion near Red Fort on November 10.”

Extending heartfelt condolences to the families mourning their loved ones, the Cabinet also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. It recognized the swift actions of medical teams and emergency responders who provided immediate assistance amidst chaos.

Labeling the explosion a “dastardly and cowardly act,” the government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance towards terrorism in all forms. This position resonates deeply as India stands united against acts threatening its sovereignty and safety.

The Cabinet also acknowledged the supportive messages of solidarity received from governments around the world, showcasing international unity against terrorism. Security agencies and citizens deserve commendation for their timely and coordinated response, which reinforces the collective resolve to combat terror.

The government stated, “We are monitoring the situation at the highest levels,” indicating a focused approach to security amidst the aftermath of this attack. Investigators are mandated to pursue the case with “utmost urgency and professionalism,” signaling strict measures against such acts of violence.

In closing, the resolution reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding citizens’ lives and maintaining national security. “We will not rest until justice is served,” it concluded, reiterating the assurance to uphold the safety and well-being of all Indians.

The DNA test of samples collected from the Red Fort blast site has confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded there early this week, police sources said Thursday.

The DNA samples of Umar’s mother were collected on Tuesday and sent here for examination, the sources said, adding that they were analysed along with the remains gathered from the blast site.

“The DNA results confirm that it was indeed Umar who was driving the fateful vehicle,” said a source.

Umar was a key member of a “white collar” terror module busted earlier this week. He hails from Koil village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.

Hours after police busted the terror module with links to proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and arrested eight people including three doctors, the high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving car near Delhi”s Red Fort area on Monday evening.

Around 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur were seized after police busted the terror module, which spanned across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted searches at 10 locations across five states in an Al Qaida Gujarat terror conspiracy case allegedly involving illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, officials said on Thursday.

NIA teams conducted searches at premises on Wednesday linked with various suspects and their associates in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Haryana and Gujarat, an agency spokesperson said in a statement.

The official said several digital devices and documents were seized that have been sent for forensic analysis.

The case was registered in 2023 and centres around four Bangladeshi nationals — Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari, Azarul Islam, and Abdul Latif — had illegally infiltrated into India from Bangladesh using forged Indian identity documents, the NIA alleged.

“They were found to be connected with the proscribed Al-Qaida terrorist organisation. The men were involved in collection and transfer of funds to Al Qaida operatives in Bangladesh, and were also found to be actively motivating Muslim youth,” the statement said.

The NIA had filed a charge sheet on November 10, 2023 in a Ahmedabad Special Court. (Agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday referred the vital question of whether litigants can directly approach high courts for anticipatory bail to a three-judge bench. The court’s decision came amidst concerns over legal procedural norms, particularly in cases involving anticipatory bail applications.

A bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stated, “This matter requires to be heard by a three-judge bench.” They directed the case to be listed before a larger bench once it is constituted, signifying the importance of this issue.

This deliberation follows an earlier appointment of senior advocate Siddharth Luthra as amicus curiae to provide assistance on the matter, underscoring the complexity and significance of the legal questions involved.

Kerala High Court’s Practice Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court expressed particular concern regarding the “regular practice” observed in the Kerala High Court, where litigants repeatedly file anticipatory bail applications directly without first approaching the sessions court. “One issue that is bothering us is that in the Kerala High Court, anticipatory bail applications are regularly entertained directly. Why is that so?” the bench inquired during the proceedings.

In reviewing the relevant legal framework, including provisions from the old Code of Criminal Procedure and the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, justices noted that a structured hierarchy exists for managing bail applications, raising questions about the legality of bypassing the sessions court.

“It doesn’t happen in any other state. Only in the Kerala High Court… applications for anticipatory bail are regularly entertained directly,” the bench pointed out, raising eyebrows regarding the procedural consistency followed across the country.

Background of the Triggering Case

The Supreme Court’s observations emerged while considering a plea filed by two individuals challenging a decision from the Kerala High Court that denied them anticipatory bail. The petitioners, having approached the High Court directly, skipped the essential step of seeking relief from the sessions court, prompting the Supreme Court to critically examine this trend.

The justices emphasized that such a practice could deprive courts of comprehensive factual records that typical sessions court proceedings would usually compile. They suggested the need for a clear and uniform approach to anticipate bail pleas, which might aid in preserving the integrity of the judicial process.

“We are inclined to consider whether the option to approach the high court is a matter of choice for the accused or whether it should be mandatory to first go to the sessions court,” remarked the bench, shedding light on the critical balance between legal rights and procedural adherence. The Supreme Court has also issued a notice to the Kerala High Court, through its Registrar General, seeking their official response on the matter.

This case reflects growing concerns regarding legal practices within the judicial framework of India. With increasing discussions about judicial reforms, the outcome of this referral could significantly impact the future of anticipatory bail proceedings across high courts in India.

As the legal community awaits further developments, the Supreme Court’s proactive stance emphasizes the judiciary’s commitment to uphold legal norms and procedural clarity, ensuring that justice remains accessible and fair.