Yesterday, 13th April, The Karnataka court decided to extend the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody of a suspect related to the Rameshwaram Cafe bombing case for ten days. This development is crucial in the ongoing investigation into the explosive incident at the cafe. The decision reflects the court’s commitment to thorough scrutiny and ensuring all necessary steps are taken to uncover the truth behind the bombing.
Bengaluru: A special NIA court granted the national agency 10 days’ custody of two suspects in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case for additional investigation. Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa appeared before a National Investigation Agency special court judge. The accused transported from Kolkata to the state capital on transit remand for their alleged involvement in the March 1 blast at Rameshwaram Cafe, which resulted in injuries to 10 individuals.
The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude to both the National Investigation Agency and the state police for their efforts in apprehending the suspects in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case.
Siddaramaiah stated that ,
The interrogation process would uncover the truth. I express my gratitude to the NIA and the Karnataka police for successfully locating and apprehending the accused individuals in Kolkata,”
The investigation uncovered that the suspects utilized electronic devices and digital equipment from the cafe blast. Muzamil Sharif and Maz Munir, already in custody, implicated in various activities alongside the accused. As a result, the NIA sought a 10 day custody extension to locate other suspects associated with the arrested terrorists.
As per NIA, Shazib allegedly planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, while Taahaa is believed to be the mastermind behind the incident.
Taha plays pivotal role in nearly all terror-related cases in Karnataka since 2019. He purportedly a part of ‘Al Hind IS’, a self-professed terror group, established in Bengaluru by Mehboob Pasha, Khaja Moideen alias Jalal of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, and their associates in 2019. The module believed to be responsible for the assassination of a Hindu leader in Tamil Nadu.
Adbul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib located and apprehended in the early hours of Friday by the agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. According to an official at the federal agency who preferred anonymity, both individuals suspected to be linked with the Shivamogga module of the Islamic State, recognized as a terrorist organization, and been under the agency’s surveillance since 2020.
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In response, the judge granted the request, extending their custody by 10 days. Currently, the arrested individuals are being interrogated at the Madiwala Technical Center, according to sources.
The NIA offered a reward of Rs 10 lakh each last month for individuals who could provide information leading to the apprehension of these two suspects.