'Disbar her': Delhi bomber aide's lawyer criticized for controversial remarks
What's the story
Amir Rashid Ali, the alleged accomplice in the recent car bombing near Delhi's Red Fort, was the registered owner of the Hyundai i20 used in the attack, his defense lawyer, Smriti Chaturvedi, told ANI. She also said that Ali showed no remorse or guilt for his involvement in the incident. The prosecution usually makes comments like these regarding the accused. But a defense lawyer saying things like that while representing her client has raised eyebrows.
Lawyer
She should be disbarred, says X user
"When I asked Amir regarding his involvement...he told me that he is the registered owner of the vehicle used in the blast. There was no guilt and no feeling of remorse on the face of Amir Rashid Ali," Chaturvedi told ANI. Reacting to her actions, a user wrote on X, "This is genuinely horrifying. Everyone is entitled to a proper defense. If the government-assigned defense lawyer speaks like a part of the prosecution team...she should be disbarred."
Users
Ali in NIA custody
Another user wrote, "You are defending the client. What the hell? Why are you speaking against him? This is legal malpractice and against advocacy and also disturbs the person's right to legal defense. What clownery is this!! Immediately, you should be removed." The Jammu and Kashmir resident was arrested on November 16 in connection with the blast near Red Fort, which killed 14 people. On Monday, Ali was sent to NIA custody for 10 days.
Arrest details
Ali's involvement in Delhi blast and subsequent arrest
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has alleged that Ali played a "key role" in procuring the vehicle that was converted into a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). He is said to have traveled to Delhi earlier this month to facilitate the vehicle's purchase before it was handed over to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the suspected suicide bomber.
Blast investigation
Dr. Umar's role and the aftermath of the blast
Dr. Umar was killed in the explosion, which took place on November 10, instantly killing him and injuring over 20 others. A second vehicle, a red Ford EcoSport owned by Dr. Umar, was discovered hours after the blast in Haryana's village. This vehicle has also been seized for further investigation into its possible involvement in the attack or other planned operations.
Radicalization
Dr. Umar's radical views and the Faridabad terror module
Days after the blast, a video of Dr. Umar surfaced, where he speaks about suicide bombings being "misunderstood" and refers to them as "martyrdom operations" in Islam. This video is believed to have been made by him to recruit others for his cause. Investigators believe that the Faridabad terror module behind this attack consisted of nine to 10 members, including five to six doctors from Al-Falah University in Faridabad, who used their medical expertise to acquire materials for explosives.