The National Investigation Agency’s chargesheet in the Red Fort blast case has revealed this week that Lal Mandir in Chandni Chowk was allegedly the bomber’s original target, and that heavy traffic and police presence forced a last-minute change of plan. The agency’s account, detailed in a roughly 7,500-page chargesheet, reconstructs the final minutes of November 10, 2025.

According to the chargesheet, accused bomber Umer Un Nabi drove an explosive-laden Hyundai i20 to the Lal Mandir area and was captured on CCTV attempting to park near the temple at around 6:37 pm. Unable to find an opening amid the congestion and police deployment, he took a U-turn and headed towards the Red Fort, where the device exploded near Gate No. 4 at about 6:50 pm. Eleven people were killed and 29 injured.

The NIA has classified the attack as the first-ever vehicle-based IED blast in Delhi, saying Nabi deliberately triggered the device using a command mechanism. The chargesheet names the deceased Nabi as the mastermind and “operational in-charge,” and accuses around 10 others, including Dr Muzamil, Adeel and Mufti Irfan, of roles in the “AGuH Interim” module. A supplementary chargesheet has taken the total accused to 13.