Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday visited Brookfield Hospital to meet those injured in the blast at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe. CM announced that the state government will bear all the costs of medical treatment of the people injured in the blast. The blast yesterday resulted in at least ten injuries. The incident occurred around 1 pm at the Whitefield branch of the cafe in the city's Rajajinagar area.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the Central Crime Branch is conducting the inquiry, with multiple groups assigned to trace the culprit.
"The government is very committed to come out with a clean and fair investigation. We have given free to the police authorities. The Central Crime Branch is investigating the matter. 7-8 groups have already been set up for the job and they are trying to trace the culprit. Fortunately, no major incident has happened," Shivakumar told reporters.
"We don't want anyone in Bangalore to be scared, we will order the police and come out with a fair investigation. The equipment used in the blast appears familiar and investigation is being carried out at all angles," he added further.
Earlier in the day, Providing updates on the conditions of patients admitted after the blast, Brookefield Hospital's Medical Director, Dr Pradeep Kumar, expressed satisfaction with the response to the three patients admitted.
"One patient in the ICU experienced a post-operative turbulent period but showed signs of improvement. Psychological support was provided to boost confidence and alleviate stress, with other patients expected to be discharged in 24-48 hours," Dr Kumar told reporters.
CCTV footage surfaced a day after the blast, revealing a man entering Rameshwaram Cafe with a bag. The suspect reportedly left the bag inside before the explosion. The Central Crime Branch, deploying seven to eight teams, took up the investigation. The suspect, seen wearing a cap and mask to conceal identity, appeared hurried in the footage.
Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara disclosed that the suspect likely arrived on a BMTC bus, detailing ongoing efforts to arrest him. A timer was used for the blast, and a meeting was scheduled with CM Siddaramaiah and high-level police officials.
An FIR was registered under IPC sections 307 and 471, along with UAPA sections 16, 18, and 38. Additional sections of the Explosive Substance Act were included.
A joint team, comprising the Forensic Science Laboratory, Bomb Disposal Squad, and Dog Squad, conducted an investigation at the blast site of The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru's Whitefield area.