NIA Apprehends ‘Mastermind’ Behind the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday informed that it has apprehended the perpetrator and mastermind behind the explosion at Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru.

The two primary absconders in the Rameswaram Cafe blast case, identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazeb, were tracked down to their hideout near Kolkata and detained by the NIA team, officials stated.

Mussavir Hussain Shazib is the individual who planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, while Abdul Matheen Taha orchestrated the planning, execution of the blast, and subsequent evasion from law enforcement. In the early hours of Friday, NIA teams successfully located the fugitive accused near Kolkata, where they were residing under false identities.

The NIA acknowledged the cooperative efforts of various law enforcement agencies including those of West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala police, along with central intelligence agencies, in achieving this feat.

These arrests follow the NIA’s recent decision to broaden its investigation by probing the social circles and past associations of the accused, including their school and college acquaintances.

The agency intensified its efforts by summoning and scrutinizing acquaintances of both the absconding and arrested individuals. Individuals from various spheres of the suspects’ lives were questioned to gather crucial evidence and information relevant to the case. This approach forms part of the NIA’s strategy to unravel the alleged activities of the accused by tracing their connections and potential motives.

The agency also sought cooperation from all parties in apprehending the absconding accused persons. The NIA had identified the two key accused residing in Thirthahalli area of Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, in connection with the investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast that occurred on March 1 on ITPL Road in Bengaluru’s Whitefield. Additionally, Muzammil Shareef, a resident of Khalsa in Chikkamagaluru, was arrested on March 26 for providing logistical support to the main accused persons. In its efforts to locate and arrest the absconding accused, the NIA conducted searches at 18 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Earlier on March 29, the NIA announced rewards of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of the two key absconders.