Delhi blast: Kanpur cardiologist detained by ATS over links to arrested lady doctor
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Kanpur: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained a medical student from Kanpur as part of the investigation into the recent Delhi Red Fort blast, officials said on Thursday.
Dr Mohammad Arif (32), a first-year Doctor of Medicine (Cardiology) student at the state-run Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, was taken into custody from an undisclosed location. An ATS team searched his rented accommodation in Ashok Nagar, Nazirabad, seizing his mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination, before taking him to Delhi for questioning.
“He is likely to be confronted with those already arrested in the case,” a senior official said.
Arif, a native of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, came under ATS scrutiny following information gathered during the interrogation of former GSVM professor Dr Shaheen Sayeed, who was earlier arrested in connection with the blast. Investigators suspect Arif maintained regular contact with Dr Shaheen and her brother Dr Parvez, both of whom have been extensively questioned.
Sources indicated that on the day of the explosion, Arif was in telephonic contact with individuals allegedly linked to Dr Shaheen’s network. He had also recently travelled to Jammu and Kashmir, raising further suspicion. Officials said that he allegedly attempted to delete data from his phone when ATS reached his residence, but the devices were seized in time. Preliminary analysis reportedly revealed communications with the alleged mastermind and other suspects. Investigators believe the group used a shared e-mail ID to exchange draft messages, a method often employed by terror outfits to evade electronic surveillance.
The development has caused concern among doctors and students at GSVM Medical College, particularly in the Cardiology Department, where Arif had joined only three months ago. Chief Medical Superintendent (Cardiology) Dr Gyanendra confirmed that Arif joined through All India counselling, lived off-campus, and had been screened alongside his peers as a precautionary measure.
Arif’s landlord, Kanhaiya Lal, said the doctor had been renting a room for about a month with another doctor, Abhishek, and that the ATS team quietly searched the premises. “He submitted his ID before renting, but I never noticed anything suspicious,” Lal added.
A senior police official, requesting anonymity, confirmed Arif’s detention and said he was handed over to central investigative agencies for further questioning. Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said authorities are verifying the reports and would comment only after confirmation.
Meanwhile, ATS and National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams continue operations in Kanpur to trace additional links to Dr Shaheen’s network, with officials indicating that more names may surface as the investigation progresses.
With PTI inputs