Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: Owner Speaks Out, Denies Professional Rivalry, Says Blast Is Puzzling

Divya Raghavendra Rao, the founder of The Rameshwaram Cafe restaurant chain, has given her first reaction to the explosion at her Kundalahalli outlet in Whitefield. The incident that occurred on Friday has left at least five people injured.

Speaking to TV 9 Kannada, she said that the blast seemed unrelated to any professional rivalry, as they had no known enemies. She claimed that it must have occurred due to "some other reason". "We don't have enemies or any professional rivalry," she noted.

"I am currently in Hyderabad as I gave birth to a baby just two months ago," Divya explained. "Therefore, I am unable to be physically present at the location. However, rest assured, our capable team is on-site to handle the issue."

She said that they are fully cooperating with the authorities and handed over the CCTV footage and all their outlets have been put on high alert.

More importantly, Divya has said that there had been no gas pipeline leak or cylinder blast. She also noted that suspicious bags were found at the Rajaji Nagar outlet on a few occasions and they had been handed over it to the police.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru South MP has claimed that the explosion at the Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday seems to be a "clear case of bomb blast". "Just spoke to Rameshwaram Café founder Sri Nagaraj about the blast in his restaurant. He informed me that the blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion. One of their employees is injured," Surya said on X (formerly Twitter).

He further added, "It's seems to be a clear case of bomb blast. Bengaluru demands clear answers from CM @siddaramaiah."

Between 12.55 and 1.05 pm, there was an explosion inside the hotel located in Kundalahalli in Whitefield. At least, five people have been injured in the incident.

Even senior BJP leader Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) has echoed the same views.