Bengaluru Cafe Blast Accused Planned To Target Karnataka BJP HQ On Jan 22, Reveals NIA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against four accused in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast that occurred on March 1. The chargesheet reveals that the accused had planned to carry out an IED attack at the Karnataka BJP headquarters on January 22 but failed to do so.

Accused and Charges

The four accused are Mussavir Hussain Shazib, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha, Maaz Muneer Ahmed, and Muzammil Shareef. They face charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDPP Act).

According to the chargesheet, Taaha and Shazib received funds from their handler via cryptocurrencies. Taaha converted these funds through Faisal using various Telegram-based platforms. The funds were used for violent acts in Bengaluru, including a failed IED attack at the Karnataka BJP office on January 22, which was intended to coincide with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.

Investigation and Arrests

All four accused are currently in judicial custody. The blast at Rameshwaram Cafe injured nine people and caused significant damage to the hotel. The NIA began its investigation on March 3, conducting technical and field investigations with state police forces and other agencies.

The investigation revealed that Shazib planted the bomb. Shazib and Taaha had been absconding since 2020 after the Al-Hind module was dismantled. They were arrested from a hideout in West Bengal 42 days after the cafe explosion. Shazib and Taaha, from Shivamogga district in Karnataka, were involved in radicalizing youth to the IS ideology. Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Muzammil Shareef were among those radicalized.

Taaha and Shazib used fraudulently obtained Indian SIM cards, bank accounts, and documents from the Dark Web.

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