Rameshwaram Cafe blast: NIA says unverified news items hamper effective investigations

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday announced that it has identified the accused and co-conspirator of the explosion that happened at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1 which injured nearly 10 people.

"As part of the investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast dated March 1 at ITPL Road in Bengaluru's, the NIA has identified the accused person who carried out the IED blast as one Mussavir Hussain Shazib and co-conspirator as Abdul Matheen Taahaa, both residents of Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district," said NIA in its statement on X.

The agency added that Muzammil Shareef of Chikkamagaluru, who extended logistics support to the main accused persons, was arrested on March 26 and was examined in police custody. As part of efforts to locate and arrest the absconding accused persons, NIA conducted searches on 18 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.



"NIA requests the cooperation of all in the arrest of absconding accused persons," the official statement noted. The statement added that any information on the identity of the witnesses may apart from hampering investigation may also put to risk the individuals being summoned. Also, unverified news items hamper effective investigations in the case. NIA requests the cooperation of all in arrest of absconding accused persons.

In a bid to bolster its investigation into Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has widened its scope by delving into the social circles and past associations of the accused, including friends in school-time and college.

As part of its investigation process, the anti-terror agency has intensified its efforts in the case by summoning and scrutinizing some acquaintances, including college and school-time friends, of both absconding and arrested accused.

NIA said that the individuals from various spheres of the suspects' lives are being called in for questioning to gather crucial evidence and information pertinent to the case.

The explosion at the Rameshwaram Cafe happened at 1 pm and the case was handed over to the NIA on March 3.