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

As many as 10 people were injured and none are in critical condition.

The east Bengaluru suburb of Kundalahalli – home to a cluster of tech parks – was in for shock on March 1 afternoon. At 12:55 pm, as the lunch crowd trickled in at the popular Rameshwaram cafe, an explosion was heard.

CCTV visuals showed plumes of smoke and panic in the moments that followed the blast with customers and staff trying to flee the scene. Some of the customers – clothes bloodied and ripped, blood-smeared faces – stood a few metres away from the restaurant, trying to process what they’d just witnessed. They were administered first-aid as ambulances wailed and fire engines arrived.

Visuals Of People who affected badly after the blast occured in Banglore @RameshwaramCafe
Brookefield #RameshwaramCafe #RameshwaramCafeBlast#LPGCylinderhttps://t.co/ZwWAlFHogy

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— Arun Vijay (@AVinthehousee) March 1, 2024

As many as 10 people were injured and none are in critical condition. Police are investigating the motives and perpetrators behind the low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. Though initially the explosion was suspected to have been caused by a cylinder leak, it was later ruled out.

Also Read: Bengaluru: 9 injured in explosion at Rameshwaram cafe, NIA to visit site; IED usage suspected

Police officials said that 10 people, including hotel staff and customers, were injured in the bomb blast that occurred between 12:50 pm and 1 pm, and a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at the HAL police station.

By 5:30 pm on the fateful day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came on record to state that it was an IED blast. “An unknown person carried a bag to the restaurant. He bought a token and had food. Later, he left the bag that carried the bomb. Police are examining CCTV footage,” CM Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru. Asked whether it was a terrorist attack, the Chief Minister said an investigation is underway.

How it was carried out

According to the sources, the accused, who is around 28-30 years old, traveled by bus, paid for an order of rava idli, and collected the token. He left behind a bag that carried the IED.

“He came to the cafe, ordered rava idli, and set the timer for the blast to take place after an hour. He travelled by bus. His face has been captured on CCTV and cops are investigating. Police have formed special teams to probe the incident.  They are looking into the cause of the blast, whether it involves business rivalry or other motives. CCTV footage within a 2 km radius of the restaurant is being scrutinised,” Deputy CM DK Shivakumar who visited the scene of the blast, said.

Also Read: CCTV captures blast that rocked Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, injured 9. Video

On BJP leaders being quick to criticise the government, he said: “We refrain from engaging in politics in such a situation and leave that to the opposition BJP. Karnataka and Bengaluru's image is important to us, and we are committed to protecting it at any cost.”

Just spoke to Rameshwaram Café founder Sri Nagaraj about the blast in his restaurant.

He informed me that the blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion. One of their employees is injured.

It’s seems to be a clear case of bomb…

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 1, 2024

'Have good leads' 

An investigating officer told Moneycontrol that while the probe is still on and it’s still early to say whether it is a terror act or one caused by business rivalry until they have solid leads. “It appears to be an act of terror or one done with an intent to create fear. We’ll have to await the completion of the investigation for the full picture. For now, we have very good leads.”

The accused, he said, took necessary precautions to conceal his identity by taking a bus and wearing a mask. “It’s an area with heavy footfall and lots of IT sector employees which is why it was chosen, we presume. Easier to grab eyeballs. From the looks of it, it seems like IED in tiffin box used for explosion. The person visited the restaurant with a bag that had a tiffin box with an IED. There are CCTVs in the neighbourhood so he’ll be nabbed soon.”

Panic on ITPL Road

Following the incident, Shivakumar Gunare, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Whitefield rushed to the spot and was followed by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayanand. After Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Alok Mohan’s visit, it was known that it was an IED blast but officials weren’t ready to say so on record.

Panic gripped ITPL Road as news of the bomb blast spread and traffic came to a standstill. Residents and security staff soon found themselves being quizzed by TV crews on camera. They spoke of being jolted by the loud noise from the explosion, rushing to the spot, and helping some of the injured.

Mohan said NIA and IB have been informed about the blast. Bomb squads too scanned the scene for further explosives and the forensic team collected the samples from the blast area for further investigation.

Shivakumar said, “We have formed 7-8 teams along with the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and bomb squad for the investigation, and we have the CCTV footage capturing individuals entering and exiting at the time of the incident. It was a low-impact blast with a timer set, but the loud sound caused panic among the people. All victims are safe, and we have personally met them. The state government will cover their medical expenses.  We are examining all angles and have given officials a free hand in the investigation. Our officials are capable to nab the suspect within a few hours. The investigation will be completed at the appropriate time. We have already identified the people who entered the restaurant through CCTV footage.”

In addition to Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara also visited the spot. All victims are understood to be out of danger. Dr Pradeep Kumar, medical director of Brookefield Hospital, said Swarnamba (49), a female employee of IT firm Microchip India Pvt Ltd has suffered 40% burns and will require plastic surgery. "She sustained lacerations on the right side of her body that require plastic surgery. Additionally, her eardrum suffered damage from the explosion's sound," he explained.

Blast not a first

On December 28, 2014, a low-intensity IED placed inside a flower pot on the pavement outside a restaurant on upscale Church Street exploded at 8:30 pm, killing one woman and injuring at least four others. In 2022, the Mangaluru blast occurred when one of the accused, Mohamed Shariq, was transporting a pressure cooker IED in an auto-rickshaw, which exploded. Shariq sustained injuries in the blast.

We are cooperating with the investigation: Rameshwaram cafe co-founder

Set up in 2021, Rameshwaram Cafe – named after the birthplace of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam – has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, footfall, and revenue within a short period. The restaurant chain known for its liberal use of clarified butter (ghee) as well as its eye-popping sales numbers, features among the must-visit destinations of every traveller making a pit-stop in the city. It’s a mid-morning destination for some, a late-night hang-out spot (they’re open from 6.30 am to 1.30 am) for many, and is often frequented by celebrities.

Also Read: As Bangalore's Rameshwaram Café opens in Hyderabad, a look into the cafe chain that reportedly rakes in crores each month

Former Master Chef Australia judge Gary Mehigan who was in the city in November 2023, visited the joint’s wildly popular Indiranagar outlet for a taste of their ragi dosa, ghee pudi idli, kesari bhath, and filter coffee. The chain that functions in the QSR (quick service restaurant) module that currently has four outlets in Bengaluru - Indiranagar, Rajaji Nagar, JP Nagar, and Brookfield - was co-founded by husband-wife duo Raghavendra Rao and Divya Rao. In January this year, they set up shop in Hyderabad too.

Divya Raghavendra, co-founder and MD of Rameshwaram Cafe, told reporters that the incident occurred in the handwash area of the restaurant. "We have already provided CCTV footage to the police, and three of our staff members were also injured".

Also Read: Cafe blast: Case registered under UAPA and Explosive Substances Act

In a statement, Raghavendra, on March 1,  noted,"We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident at our Brookfield branch today. We are cooperating with the authorities and officials in their investigations.  Our thoughts are with the injured and their families, and we are offering them all the support, assistance, and care they need and pray for their speedy recovery."