NIA Detains Key Suspect In Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: See Timeline

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken the key suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram cafe blast case into custody, an Asian News International report said. 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. The 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.

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

VIDEO | Bengaluru cafe blast suspect caught on CCTV.



At least 10 people were injured in a low intensity bomb blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru's Whitefield locality on Friday. Police suspect that an improvised explosive device (IED) fitted with a timer inside a… pic.twitter.com/EWGzLAmy1M

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2024

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.