Vinay Karanam Photo Courtesy: Samaa TV
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended two key suspects in connection with the Rameswaram Cafe blast case. The accused, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, were arrested in West Bengal and subsequently brought to Bengaluru. Their movements across multiple states were meticulously traced by investigators.
CCTV footage obtained during the investigation reveals that the suspects checked into the Dream Guest House in the Ekbalpur area of Kolkata. Their stay spanned from March 25 to March 28, during which they used fake identities. Prior to this, they had traveled to the East Midnapore district. To avoid detection by law enforcement agencies, the accused frequently changed their addresses as they left Karnataka.
The suspects employed a cash payment strategy to avoid leaving a paper trail. They checked into various small hotels across different states, ensuring their financial transactions remained untraceable. Officials conducted searches at 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh before finally tracing the accused to Kanthi, a small city located 180 km from Kolkata.
Shazib, believed to have placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the Rameswaram Cafe on ITPL Road, Brookefield, Bengaluru, was arrested alongside Taahaa, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the attack. The explosion at the cafe on March 1 resulted in 10 people being injured.
The NIA took over the investigation on March 3 and announced a reward of ₹10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of the two accused. A court in Kolkata granted a 3-day transit remand to the accused, allowing the NIA to bring them to the Karnataka capital for further investigation. Both suspects will undergo a routine medical test before being produced before the NIA court in Bengaluru1.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts in tracking down those who seek to evade justice through deceptive means. The NIA’s swift action in apprehending the suspects demonstrates their commitment to ensuring public safety and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
