Rameshwaram Cafe Bomb Blast: NIA Detains Key Accused

The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday detained a key suspect for questioning in Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, News18 reported.

The man is identified as Shabbir and he is from the Cowl Bazaar area in Ballari. "He is still being questioned in the case. It is yet to be ascertained whether he is the same man caught on CCTV," sources told ANI.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had earlier said that said sleuths investigating the March one blast at the city's popular eatery had identified the suspect, and efforts are on to nab him.

He said the investigators are verifying the suspect's identity and are "getting closer to him." "Investigations are going on, we are closing in, in a way who the person (Suspect) is has been identified. It has to be confirmed and he has to be nabbed. They are doing it, NIA is doing it, and CCB is doing it with them. They have got good leads," PTI had quoted the state home minister as telling reporters.

As per an earlier report in The Indian Express, the suspect arrived at the hotel at approximately 11:40 am and left the place at 11.50 am.

Going by the CCTV footage, he had ordered a Rava Idly and ate it at the corner of a restaurant before leaving a bag containing the bomb. He had arrived on a BMTC bus.

The clips had shown him wearing a mask and a white hat.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has offered a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for giving information about the 'bomber' who kept a bag inside the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. "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 central agency announced on X.

Meanwhile, the outlet where the bomb blast incident occurred reopened to the public, last weekend.