On 1 March, a low-intensity IED explosion at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe injured nine and severely damaged the restaurant, prompting an NIA investigation.
Published Sep 09, 2024 | 6:27 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2024 | 6:27 PM
Two Door Frame Metal Detectors (DMFD) at the entrance of Rameshwaram Cafe
The National Investigation Agency on Monday filed a chargesheet against the four accused in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast case. All four were earlier arrested and are currently in judicial custody in the case.
NIA Chargesheets 4 in Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Case pic.twitter.com/H8dBPMwdsx
— NIA India (@NIA_India) September 9, 2024
On 1 March, during the lunch hour at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookefield, Bengaluru, a low-intensity IED explosion injured nine people and severely damaged the restaurant. The blast prompted an urgent response from Bengaluru City Police, who initially led the investigation.
The case was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) due to its high-profile nature.
The investigation, supported by artificial intelligence and extensive CCTV footage, led to a cross-state manhunt. This search, which began in Bengaluru, extended through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and ultimately reached West Bengal.
On 12 April, the NIA achieved a breakthrough by arresting Mussavir Hussain Shazib, 30, the alleged bomber, and Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa, 30, the principal conspirator, near Kolkata.
Shazib and Taahaa, both from Tirthahalli, Shivamogga, were already linked to various terror cases and had been evading authorities since 2020. Their involvement became known when Karnataka police dismantled the Al-Hind terror module, which was inspired by the Islamic State (IS), in January 2020.
Further investigation by the NIA revealed that Shazib was responsible for planting the bomb. Both Shazib and Taahaa had been evading capture since the collapse of the Al-Hind module. They were apprehended 42 days after the café blast following an intensive search in West Bengal.
The accused used fraudulent Indian SIM cards and bank accounts and obtained identity documents from the Dark Web. Taahaa’s network included Shoaib Ahmed Mirza, an ex-convict, and Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, an absconder in the LeT Bengaluru conspiracy case.
On Monday, the NIA filed a chargesheet against Shazib, Taahaa, Maaz Muneer Ahmed, and Muzammil Shareef under relevant sections of the IPC, UA(P) Act, Explosive Substances Act, and PDLP Act. All four are currently in judicial custody as the investigation continues.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
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