Delhi Blast Probe: NIA raids Lucknow home of alleged mastermind doctor
Lucknow: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), investigating the car blast near Red Fort on November 10, recovered several important documents and materials during a major raid at the Lucknow residence of an arrested female doctor, allegedly one of the masterminds behind the blast, known as 'Madam Surgeon'.
The search operation, carried out on Monday, lasted nearly five hours and involved a team of around six officers, including women personnel. Local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also provided support.
During the raid, the agency also questioned the doctor's father and her elder brother while searching her family's homes in Qaisarbagh and Madiyaon. Both were interrogated from morning until about 11.45 am.
Also read- 48 Al Falah University staff, including 30 doctors questioned in Red Fort blast probe
In addition to Lucknow, the NIA also conducted raids at nine locations in Jammu and Kashmir.
These locations had earlier been searched by the J&K Police and the State Investigation Agency (SIA) during their probe into an inter-state white-collar module of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Given the sensitivity of the case, heavy police deployment was ordered in the area. Several lanes of the Khandari Bazaar locality were barricaded and sealed, completely restricting the movement of civilians during the operation.
According to the investigators, the 46-year-old pharmacology specialist is not only one of the main accused but also the key mastermind behind the Red Fort blast conspiracy. TOI reported that she funnelled Rs 27–28 lakh into the module, including Rs 6.5 lakh for weapons and Rs 3 lakh for a vehicle.
Though she insists the money was given as zakat, agencies allege she was the only woman involved in the Faridabad-based JeM module. She is also suspected to have been in contact with Afira Biwi, the wife of Pulwama attack mastermind Dr *** and allegedly discussed a plan to carry out attacks in six Indian cities on December 6 as “revenge for Babri Masjid”.
Born and raised in Lucknow’s Kaiserbagh, the doctor had an exceptional academic record. She topped Class 10 and 12 boards, completed her MBBS and MD from the government medical college in Prayagraj, and secured a UPPSC rank to become an assistant professor at GSVM Medical College in Kanpur in 2006.
However, her career took a sudden turn in 2013 when she stopped reporting for duty without explanation. After years of failed communication, she was finally terminated in 2021. Investigators say that during this missing period, she grew close to radical networks while being associated with Al-Falah University, where she allegedly met and later married suspected JeM operative Dr **.
Also read- Delhi blast probe uncovers 2 more hideouts used by Al-Falah University doctor
