Three days after the interstate raid, on May 24, 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained another suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe bomb case. This is the fifth arrest in the March 1 case by the investigation agency.
The NIA has taken the key suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram cafe blast case into custody. The suspect, identified as Shabbir from Bellary, Karnataka, is reportedly being interrogated in the case. However, it is yet to be ascertained whether he is the same man caught on CCTV camera, planting an improvised explosive device (IED) on March 1. This development comes two days after Home Minister G Prameshwara said that the investigators are verifying the suspect's identity and are “getting closer to him.”
The blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru's Brookfield area occurred between 12:50 p.m. and 1 p.m. on March 1, 2024, leaving ten individuals injured. A day after the explosion, the emergence of fresh CCTV footage captured the suspect, allegedly Shabbir, donning a white cap and mask, nonchalantly walking towards the cafe with a shoulder bag in tow. The case was handed over to the NIA on March 3.
NIA's Latest Arrest
The most recent arrestee has been identified as Shoaib Ahmed Mirza (35), also known as Chhotu. He is a resident of Hubbali, Karnataka. The agency stated that he had previously been convicted in a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror plot case.
The arrest took place three days after the investigation agency conducted multiple raids across four states. This action followed interviews with previously arrested individuals Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Taha, who both live in Thirthahalli, in Karnataka's Shivamogga district.
"Three days after a massive crackdown across four states in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, the NIA on Friday arrested one more accused, identified as an ex-convict in a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror conspiracy case," NIA said in a statement. According to NIA investigation, Mirza got involved in this fresh conspiracy after being released from jail.
In 2018, he introduced Mirza to Abdul Matheen Taahaa, another suspect arrested in the bomb investigation, to someone online who claimed to be from abroad and eventually he became Taahaa's handler, and Mirza established encrypted contact between the two. Taahaa was subsequently arrested in Kolkata, West Bengal, along with another suspect, Mussavir Hussain Shazib. The NIA has been conducting extensive investigations across 29 locations in India as part of its probe into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case. They're still looking into he handler's part and the larger conspiracy behind the explosion.
Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: Timeline of Events
Following the recent blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, the nation stands gripped with shock and concern. The blast was purportedly carried out by a man who positioned a bag containing the IED inside the cafe before promptly departing, setting in motion a sequence of events that resulted in the explosion
Bengaluru's Rameshwaram cafe was rocked by an explosion, leaving ten people injured. Here's a breakdown of what happened:
- 11:30 am: An unidentified person enters the cafe after getting off a bus.
- 11:38 am: The same person, now identified as the prime suspect, orders Rava Idli.
- 11:44 am: The suspect places a bag, suspected to contain an explosive device, in the cafe's hand wash area.
- 11:45 am: The suspect exits the cafe, avoiding CCTV cameras.
- 12:56 pm: The explosion occurs, causing chaos.
- Post-explosion: The suspect vanishes, leaving investigators puzzled.
Police on the Trail
Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing the suspect, with 7–8 teams in operation and the National Security Guard (NSG) joining the investigation. Multiple agencies, including the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are also collaborating to expedite the investigative process.
Promptly responding to the severity of the incident, the Bengaluru police took decisive action by invoking both the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act. The NIA has announced a bounty of ₹10 for information on the bomber. Meanwhile, Shabbir has been detained by the Agency for questioning.
Political Storm Brewing
Soon after the blast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time in attributing blame to the ruling Congress government, igniting a fiery exchange of accusations. While BJP leaders pointed fingers at the perceived lapses in governance, Congress retaliated, accusing their counterparts of exploiting a calamitous event for political mileage.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also urged the public not to politicize the incident and called for cooperation in the ongoing investigation. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara has assured the public that the accused will be apprehended expeditiously. He said that the investigation team is "getting closer" to verifying the identity and nabbing the criminal.
Rameshwaram Cafe Owner Recounts Terrifying Ordeal
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Rameshwaram Cafe co-founder Divya Raghavendra Rao dispelled the initial suspicions that the blast originated in the kitchen. However, further examination of CCTV footage showed a different story where a masked individual ordered food, left a bag in the customer area, and exited the cafe before the explosion.
The cafe management also expressed deep sadness over the incident and assured full cooperation with the authorities. Forensic teams are currently examining the scene to gather evidence, while NSG commandos and bomb squads continue to comb the area for any potential threats.
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