Rameshwaram Cafe resumed operations 8 days after the blast.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained a suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe IED blast. The suspect, identified as Shabbir, was picked up from Bellary district in Karnataka, according to reports quoting NIA sources. The agency acted on suspicions that Shabbir possessed vital information about the blast, and detained him based on his recent travel records.
Shabir is believed to be an accomplice of the prime suspect, who was seen leaving a bag at the cafe on security camera footage just before the blast, NDTV said quoting police sources.
This development follows the recent joint efforts of the NIA and the Central Crime Branch, which led to the detention of a cloth merchant from Kaul Bazaar in Ballari and a member associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
Investigators suspect one of the detainees, an active PFI member, to have played a significant role in the blast. They believe that this PFI member may have influenced individuals, including the person responsible for planting the bomb.
The NIA took charge of the case on March 3 after conducting an onsite investigation at the blast site. The explosion occurred on March 1 during lunchtime at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru”s Whitefield area, injuring 10 people.
The NIA offered a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for any information leading to the identification of the bomber. They have assured the public of confidentiality regarding the identity of informants.
Last week, the agency released a CCTV image of the suspect who was seen placing the bag in the Rameshwaram Cafe. Encouraging citizen participation, the NIA urged people to contact them with any relevant information.
“NIA seeks citizen cooperation in identifying the suspect linked to the Rameswaram Cafe Blast Case. Call 08029510900, 8904241100 or email info.blr.nia@gov.in with any information. Your identity will remain confidential,” NIA said in a post on X, along with a picture of the suspect.
The blast, captured on CCTV cameras, occurred at 1 pm on March 1, where an IED device with a timer was deployed. Rameshwaram Cafe resumed its operations eight days later, with owner Raghavendra Rao assuring stringent security measures.
