ATS arrests GSVM medical student in Delhi car bomb case

Kanpur: In a major breakthrough in the Delhi car bomb explosion near Kempkote last Monday evening, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken into custody Dr. Mohammad Arif, a postgraduate student in the cardiology department at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi (GSVM) Medical College. Authorities say Dr. Arif, 32, is linked to individuals already detained in connection with the blast.

Dr. Arif was summoned to an undisclosed location by the ATS for intense interrogation. Officials also conducted a detailed search of his rented residence in Ashok Nagar, Najirabad, seizing mobile phones and laptops, which have been sent for forensic examination.

Sources revealed that Dr. Arif had been in contact with Dr. Shaheen Saiyad, a faculty member at GSVM, who was also interrogated by the ATS. According to investigators, Dr. Arif had communicated with Dr. Shaheen a day before the Delhi blast and had recently traveled to Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities noted attempts to destroy evidence on his devices during their visit. His brother, Dr. Parvez, is also under scrutiny for potential links to the network.

Investigators found that the suspects used a common email ID in “draft” mode to record conversations, a method employed to avoid sending messages and leaving traces, highlighting sophisticated operational planning. Preliminary reports suggest that Dr. Arif may have connections to the mastermind behind the attack.

Dr. Arif’s arrest has caused unease at GSVM Medical College, where he had joined the cardiology department just three months ago through the All India counselling system. Dr. Gnanendra, the college superintendent, confirmed that Dr. Arif maintained a low profile on campus, completing his duties quietly before heading to his accommodation.

Following the arrest, the college is reviewing records and collecting information on first-, second-, and third-year cardiology students as a precautionary measure. Authorities are continuing investigations to track other individuals linked to the network and to determine the extent of their involvement in the Delhi car bomb explosion.

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