New Delhi:

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released new photographs of the suspect linked to the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast which left 10 people injured. The anti-terror agency, which took over the case on March 3, has sought the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect who is believed to have planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the popular Bengaluru eatery on March 1.

CCTV footage captured the prime suspect boarding a bus approximately an hour after the blast occurred at the cafe. The timestamp on the video reads 2:03 pm on March 1, with the blast taking place at 12:56 pm. The suspect, wearing a T-shirt, cap, and facemask, was seen leaving behind a bag containing the IED in the cafe.

In another footage from the same day at around 9 pm, the suspect is observed roaming inside a bus station. The NIA has urged citizens to come forward with any information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspect, offering a reward of Rs 10 lakh for valuable information.

NIA seeks citizen cooperation in identifying the suspect linked to the #RameswaramCafeBlastCase. Call 08029510900, 8904241100 or email to info.blr.nia@gov.in with any information. Your identity will remain confidential. #BengaluruCafeBlastpic.twitter.com/ISTXBZrwDK

— NIA India (@NIA_India) March 9, 2024

The Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru police is collaborating with the NIA in the investigation. A cloth merchant from Kaul Bazaar in Ballari district and a cadre associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the probe team, the suspect changed his clothes after the incident and traveled by bus to different locations, including Tumakuru, Ballari, Bidar, and Bhatkal. CCTV footage reveals the suspect frequently altering his appearance to evade detection.

Cafe Reopens

The Rameshwaram Cafe resumed operations today with enhanced security measures. Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance, and customers are subjected to screening using handheld detectors to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.

Raghavendra Rao, the co-founder and CEO of The Rameshwaram Cafe, said, “We have strengthened our security team and are also trying to set up a separate panel involving ex-servicemen who could train our security guards at all our branches.”

Bengaluru:

The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru reopened for customers this morning, eight days after an explosion that left at least ten people injured.

The blast took place at the cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on March 1.

The renowned cafe was made open for the public this morning amid high security arrangements as customers stood in a long queue outside the outlet.

Before opening the cafe, its co-founder Raghavendra Rao and all staff joined for the National Anthem.

The cafe has undergone renovations to ensure a safer environment for customers.

“We are taking all the security measures to avoid such incidents in the future. We are strengthening our security team, and are also trying to have a panel of ex-servicemen to train our security guards,” Raghavendra Rao said while speaking to news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Rameshwaram cafe reopened 8 days after the blast

The blast took place at the cafe on 1st March in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area, injuring several people pic.twitter.com/W9es43cIEv

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Earlier on Friday, Raghavendra Rao told news agency ANI, “We have given all CCTV footage and information to the authorities. We are cooperating with them. We are very thankful to the government for helping us reopen the cafe so soon.”

“NIA will soon bring the culprit before us. We have taken all precautions before reopening. The government and police have guided us on where to install more CCTVs. We will appoint one person just to keep watch on the premises,” he said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for information about the bomber in connection with the blast at the Rameshwaram cafe.

The agency also emphasized that the confidentiality of the informants’ identities will be maintained. The agency also released a picture of the bomber, captured from the CCTV footage while keeping a bag in the Rameshwaram Cafe, a popular eatery in Bengaluru’s Brookfield area.

In the picture released by the NIA, the bomber is seen wearing a cap, black pants, and black shoes. In the post, the NIA also stressed that “any information leading to his (bomber) arrest shall be rewarded.”

The NIA declared the reward three days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the probe into the case to the anti-terror agency.

The case was handed over to the NIA on March 3, following the visit of an NIA team at the blast site.

The blast took place at the cafe on March 1 in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area, where several people were injured following an explosion that occurred during the busy lunch hour.

Earlier, the Bengaluru Police had registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act in connection with the explosion at the cafe.

The blast took place at 1 pm on March 1 and the police also found a suspect in the CCTV footage, keeping a bag inside the cafe. The police probe so far has indicated that an IED device with a timer was used to carry out the explosion.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)