Delhi High Court Denies Default Bail to 2025 Red Fort Blast Accused Jasir Bilal Wani

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant default bail to Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, an accused in the November 2025 car bomb blast case near the Red Fort and Lal Quila Metro Station.

A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan dismissed Mr. Wani’s appeal challenging a March 30 trial court order that had rejected his plea seeking default bail.

Mr. Wani was arrested on November 17, 2025, in connection with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case relating to the explosion at Gate No. 4 of the Lal Quila Metro Station on November 10, 2025. The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Explosive Substances Act.

The trial court had initially extended Mr. Wani's detention period by 45 days in February 2026, increasing it to 135 days, and later granted a further 45-day extension that took the total period to 180 days. Following these extensions, the trial court rejected his application for default bail.

Dismissing the appeal, the High Court held that Mr. Wani was not entitled to default bail after 90 days merely because Section 43D(2) of the UAPA lacks a direct reference to Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The Bench ruled that the statutory reference to Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure must be construed as a reference to Section 187 of the BNSS in terms of Section 8(1) of the General Clauses Act, 1897.

According to the NIA, Mr. Wani provided technical support for terror operations by modifying drones and attempting to manufacture rockets. The investigation agency also alleged that he worked closely with suicide bomber Umar un Nabi in planning the blast. A Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort at 6:52 p.m. on November 10, 2025, killing 15 people and injuring several others.