A special NIA court in Delhi on Tuesday took up the Red Fort blast case for the first time after the matter was transferred to it, directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to prepare a concise note detailing the role of each accused and the evidence collected against them to assist the court in navigating the voluminous record.

Observing that a brief background of the case “would not be out of place”, the court directed the Special Public Prosecutor to file a tabular note setting out the allegations against each accused and the material relied upon by the investigating agency.

The court noted that the NIA had filed its main chargesheet on May 14, 2026, followed by a supplementary chargesheet, but cognisance of the offences has not yet been taken. The matter has now been listed on August 27 for consideration of cognisance.

The case relates to the November 10, 2025 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 11 people and injured several others. The NIA’s 7,500-page chargesheet alleged that the accused were linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an offshoot of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and uncovered what investigators described as a wider terror conspiracy.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the court took note of the death of one of the accused, identified as Umar Un Nabi, who was alleged to be the suicide bomber in the attack. It directed the NIA to file a death verification report so that an appropriate order regarding abatement of proceedings against him can be passed.

The court also reminded the Ahlmad (court clerk) to comply with an earlier direction issued by the predecessor court to scrutinise both the main and supplementary chargesheets and submit a report.

Significantly, the court recorded that further investigation remains pending against four accused – Ukasha, Faizal, Ashim and Usman. The NIA has been directed to clarify whether proceedings in the main case can continue despite the ongoing probe.

In a bid to expedite the trial, the court ordered that pending applications be registered separately and heard on different dates so that proceedings in the main case are not delayed.

Among the pending applications, the court fixed August 24 for hearing the NIA’s plea seeking declaration of a protected witness under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the NIA Act.

Separate hearings have also been scheduled on requests made by certain accused seeking telephone communication facilities and additional time outside their prison cells. The Jail Superintendent has been directed to submit reports on these issues.

The court further noted that a non-bailable warrant issued earlier against accused Muzaffar Ahmad has already been executed and a compliance report has been filed. The matter relating to the warrant will be taken up on August 17.