On Friday, the NIA arrested two suspects in connection with the Rameswaram Cafe blast from Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. Post-arrest, the agency presented them in a Kolkata court to secure a three-day transit remand to Bengaluru. The suspects faced the court again on Saturday post-interrogation for further custody.
Insights reveal both suspects will soon be interrogated at the explosion site. They will also be taken to previous locations in Bengaluru and Chennai. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed gratitude towards NIA and Karnataka Police for their efforts.
Suspects frequently changed locations
The blast suspects, Taha and Shajib, stayed in Kolkata until March 28. They changed accommodations across four hotels. 'India Today' traced one more hotel in Kolkata's Esplanade area where they stayed. They checked into Hotel Paradise on Lenin Sarani on March 13 and checked out the next day. Earlier, they checked in on March 12 and checked out on March 13, moving to Paradise Inn. Eventually, they stayed in a hotel in Khidirpur-Iqbalpur from March 21 to 22, and finally, another hotel there from March 25 to 28. Sources suggest the suspects then moved towards Digha.
CM Siddaramaiah acknowledges NIA and Police
Responding to the NIA's arrests, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah stated his appreciation for NIA and Karnataka Police. 'Let the investigations complete. All facts will soon come to light,' he said.
'Suspects planning escape to Bangladesh?'
In addition to the CM, Karnataka's Home Minister G Parameshwara said the investigation has begun. All intelligence was shared with NIA. Police inputs were beneficial. Apparently, the cap the suspect wore was bought in Chennai... Currently, they resided in a village near Kolkata. It appears they wanted to flee somewhere, possibly Bangladesh. The further investigation will reveal if they had any help from that side (Bangladesh). Everything will come to light in time.'
NIA brings both suspects to Bengaluru
On Friday, the NIA disclosed that suspects Abdul Matheen Taha and Musavir Hussain Shajib were nabbed from a hotel near the coastal tourist town of Digha, nearly 190 kilometers from Kolkata. Taha was the mastermind behind planning and executing the blast, and Shajib had placed the improvised explosive device (IED) in the cafe. The agency said it had been searching for the conspirator Abdul Matheen Taha for the past five years.
Conducted raids at 18 locations
Previously, NIA teams carried out actions at 18 locations, including 12 in Karnataka, 5 in Tamil Nadu, and 1 in Uttar Pradesh. Co-conspirator Mujammil Sharif was apprehended during this process. NIA had released a press statement a few days ago elaborating on the whereabouts of the blast perpetrator.
9 people injured in the blast
Recall that a blast occurred at the Rameswaram Cafe in Bengaluru on March 1st. This attack injured nine people. Police sources mentioned that the cafe was hit by an IED bomb detonated using a timer. CCTV footage presented a masked individual disembarking a bus and entering the cafe, leaving a bag behind, and returning shortly before the explosion. The cafe was reopened with great pomp and show on the occasion of Mahashivratri post the blast.
NIA had announced a reward
After taking over the investigation on March 3rd, NIA announced a reward of 10 lakh rupees for information leading to the main suspect's identity and arrest.
