NIA Offers ₹10 Lakh Reward for Bengaluru Blast Suspect, CCTV Footage Provides Clues

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for information regarding the suspect involved in the March 1 blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru. The blast, believed to be executed through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), left at least 10 people injured. Taking charge of the investigation, the NIA has released a CCTV grab of the suspect, revealing key details. The footage unveils the suspect’s arrival at the cafe on a public bus, entry at 11.34 am, exit at 11.43 am, and subsequent escape via multiple public buses to a bus stop over a kilometre away. The suspect made stops during the getaway, including at a Muslim religious center, and discarded a baseball cap worn at the cafe. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that the police are exploring angles like business rivalry, impending elections, and intimidation of investors as potential motives. The suspect’s use of public buses and the discovery of the cap at a stopover location provide significant leads for investigators, who continue to analyze the CCTV footage to unravel the details of the incident.