Rameshwaram Cafe blast: How cameras in Bengaluru buses are aiding in the probe

Latest footage of the accused – who travelled in a BMTC Volvo bus (KA-01 F4517), which normally plies on the 500F route (Central Silk Board Bus Stop and Kadugodi Bus Stop) – has emerged.

The Rameshwaram Cafe blast suspect presumably ran a recce of the spot before the actual operation, and took measures to avoid identification. He wore a cap, glasses and mask and paid for his Rava idli order at the cafe with cash.

To be safe, he chose to travel by bus rather than a private vehicle on the day he carried out the blast. Only that it wasn’t as foolproof as he’d imagined. He missed out on a tiny detail: Most Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses have CCTV cameras.

Latest footage of the accused – who travelled in a BMTC Volvo bus (KA-01 F4517), which normally plies on the 500F route (Central Silk Board - Kadugodi) – has emerged. The visuals from March 1, the day he executed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Rameshwaram Cafe that left 10 injured, offer a clearer look at his face.

Also, read: Rava idli, timer, bus: Inside the IED operation at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram cafe

In the video, the suspect - wearing a cap, full-sleeved shirt, dark trousers, face mask, and glasses with a black backpack slung over his shoulder – is seen boarding the near-empty bus at 11:42 am. He walked towards the rear side of the Volvo bus and then, perhaps noticing the camera, quickly moved towards a blind zone, away from its perimeter to the front of the bus.

VIDEO | A new CCTV footage has emerged showing the #BengaluruCafeBlast suspect boarding a BMTC bus.

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Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said police are investigating whether the accused took multiple buses and changed attire to evade detection. Police are reportedly analysing footage from 40-50 CCTV cameras as well as 26 buses that passed through the road during that period.  Photographs reportedly of the suspect, in a t-shirt and without a face mask from a different bus have emerged. Moneycontrol could not verify the authenticity of those images.

The accused used an IED with a one-hour timer and the blast took place in Rameshwaram Cafe at 12:55 pm during lunch hour. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information on the suspect responsible for the blast.

Non-AC buses too equipped with CCTV cameras: BMTC

According to BMTC, not just AC buses but even non-AC ones are equipped with CCTV cameras. BMTC claims 5,700 of its 6,200 buses have two cameras each.

"We have installed two cameras in each of the 5,000 diesel buses under the Nirbhaya fund. One, facing towards passengers and another towards the driver cabin and road. Only BS-III old vehicles that will soon be scrapped don't have CCTV cameras, but the remaining ones do. This also ensures the safety of passengers," a BMTC official told Moneycontrol.

In addition to diesel buses, 503 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model (lease model), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have installed three cameras each.

Officials said this footage often comes in handy in case of an accident, crime, and other issues. "Earlier, people often blamed us for being involved in accidents and falsely framed our drivers but now CCTV footage helps in such a scenario to verify claims.”

Last month, the official said, Mahadevapura police busted a mobile theft ring, including five women. The gang adopted a modus operandi of traveling in crowded buses to distract passengers and pilfer their mobile phones. Subsequently, police recovered 120 mobile phones valued at Rs 30 lakh, after retrieving footage from the bus cameras.

Also, read: Did Rameshwaram Cafe blast aim to undermine Brand Bengaluru?