The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for information on the suspected bomber involved in the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1. The incident at the cafe in the Whitefield area left nine people injured. The probe was later taken over by the NIA.
The NIA has released a poster of the suspect identified through CCTV footage at the cafe. Seen entering the cafe wearing a cap, glasses and a mask at around 11.40 AM, the man is suspected to have planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a corner of the cafe.
“NIA announces cash reward of 10 lakh rupees for information about bomber in Rameshwaram Cafe blast case of Bengaluru. Informants identity will be kept confidential,” the NIA said in a post on X.
The suspect, who is yet to be identified, was seen speaking on a cell phone while being seated in the cafe where the bag with the IED is alleged to have been left behind. However, the police suspect that the accused may have faked the cell phone usage during his 10-minute visit to the cafe.
The Indian Express had earlier reported that the police investigations were looking into the cell tower dump data for the period of the suspect’s presence in the restaurant and its vicinity. The aim is to identify the cell phones that were in use during that period and dispel doubts about the suspect faking the usage of the cell phone.
The Bengaluru Police is also tracking CCTV footage to determine the suspect’s commute to the cafe. The effect of the blast, which injured nine people, was reduced since the shrapnel-like nuts and bolts planted in the IED flew upwards to the ceiling instead of flying sideways through the crowded restaurant.
“There were nuts and nails in the IED but it hit the roof when it exploded. Fortunately, it has saved many lives. If it had exploded sideways the intensity would have been severe,” Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Sunday.
According to IE, CCTV footage along the route of the suspect’s commute shows him getting off a bus at a bus stand near the cafe and possibly arming the IED by opening the bag. He is later seen in the cafe carrying a rava idli to a seat in a corner of the restaurant. The suspect ordered the snack by paying cash and spoke in English, the cafe staff have indicated.