NIA arrests BJP youth in connection with Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Report

In a development related to the March Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken into custody Saiprasad, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, from Thirthahalli in Karnataka's Shimoga district.

According to sources, NIA officials have summoned Saiprasad for questioning after investigations revealed his alleged connection with two Muslim youths whose residences and a mobile shop were raided last week in Thirthahalli. The probe indicated Saiprasad's communication with these individuals, prompting authorities to take him into custody for further interrogation.

The NIA, which took over the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case on March 13, had made significant progress with the recent arrest of Muzammil Shareef, believed to be the key conspirator behind the blast.

Shareef's apprehension followed extensive raids across multiple locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. However, the main accused, Mussavir Shazeeb Hussain, and another conspirator, Abdul Matheen Taha, remain at large.

Details of the blast at the eatery located on ITPL road in Bengaluru's Brookefield neighbourhood on March 1 emerged, indicating the use of an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion resulted in injuries to several customers and hotel staff, in addition to causing substantial damage to the establishment.