Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Live Updates: CM assures ‘strict action’, warns opposition against ‘playing politics’

01 Mar 2024

02:43 PM IST: Blast at Rameshwaram Cafe Injures Several

A blast occurred at Bengaluru’s popular Rameshwaram Cafe during the busy lunch hour, resulting in multiple injuries. The cause is under investigation, with reports suggesting an explosion from a mysterious object in a bag.

02:45 PM IST: Visuals from Blast Site

Visuals from the scene displayed minor damage inside the cafe premises. Prompt response from police and fire officers ensured the clearing of crowds gathered after the incident.

02:49 PM IST: Fire Station Analyzing the Situation

The Whitefield Fire Station reported that they are analyzing the situation after receiving a call about the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe.

02:50 PM IST: 5 Persons Injured

At least five people suffered injuries in the blast, causing a fire at the cafe. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital, with police and fire personnel actively engaged.

03:04 PM IST: Fire Reported at Blast Spot

The explosion led to a fire at Rameshwaram Cafe in Kundanahalli, and the fire department is working to control the situation.

03:09 PM IST: Explosion During Busy Lunch Hour

The blast occurred amid the busy lunch hour at Rameshwaram Cafe, frequently visited by crowds from nearby offices. The cause remains unknown, prompting the dispatch of a bomb squad for further investigation.

03:13 PM IST: Minor Damage Reported

Television footage revealed minor damage inside the cafe premises. Police and fire officers are on-site, ensuring the safety of the area.

Explosion at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe caught on CCTV camera

(Video source: Police) pic.twitter.com/lhMtK3rsOs

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

03:14 PM IST: 3 Injured Hospitalized

Three of the injured have been taken to a nearby hospital. Two sustained minor injuries, while the third, with 40% burn injuries, is in intensive care.

03:47 PM IST: Tejasvi Surya Labels it a ‘Clear Case of Bomb Blast’

Tejasvi Surya, BJP MP from Bangalore South, stated, “It seems to be a clear case of a bomb blast. Bengaluru demands clear answers from CM Siddaramaiah.”

04:16 PM IST: Local Resident Describes the Scene

Sabrish Kundali, a local resident, shared, “Around 1 pm, we heard a huge blast sound. We rushed to the spot and saw black smog surrounding the area. We saw 5-6 injured people. We, local residents, rushed everyone to the nearest hospital.”

04:36 PM IST: Visuals from the Blast Site

New visuals from the site show forensic experts collecting evidence. The investigation is ongoing.

04:41 PM IST: Forensic Experts Collect Evidence

Forensic experts are actively collecting evidence from the site of the explosion to determine the cause.

04:54 PM IST: Concerns Over Mysterious Blast

PC Mohan, BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru Central, expressed concerns over the mysterious blast and urged authorities to investigate, ensuring the safety of all citizens.

05:00 PM IST: Kartik Aaryan’s Visit

The Rameshwaram Cafe, known for its South Indian cuisine, had recently gained attention when Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan visited. His pictures at the cafe had gone viral.

05:07 PM IST: Owners of Rameshwaram Cafe

The cafe is owned by Mr. Raghavendra Rao and Chartered Accountant (CA) Divya Raghavendra Rao.

05:08 PM IST: Unique Flavors at Rameshwaram Cafe

Known for its consistent taste and quality, Rameshwaram Cafe caters to people from all walks of life, opening from 6:30 AM to 1 AM.

05:09 PM IST: Two Explosions Within 10 Seconds

Divya Raghavendra Rao, co-founder of the cafe, mentioned that there were two explosions within 10 seconds of each other, injuring one customer and three employees.

05:26 PM IST: Owner Denies Blast in Kitchen

The owner clarified that the blast did not occur in the kitchen but in the area where customers wash their hands. Something kept in a bag exploded, resulting in injuries.

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05:28 PM IST: Karnataka LoP Flags Deteriorating Law and Order

RA Ashok, Leader of the Opposition, expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka and urged the Congress government to prioritize the safety and security of the people.

05:32 PM IST: Chaos Surrounds Cafe

Witnesses reported chaos at the cafe, with people having injuries on their arms and legs. Identification cards were strewn around in the aftermath.

05:43 PM IST: Injured Admitted to Intensive Care

Three of the injured were admitted to a hospital nearby, with one person having 40% burn injuries and in intensive care.

05:49 PM IST: Karnataka DGP Arrives at Spot

Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. Alok Mohan visited the blast site, interacting with Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other officials.

05:51 PM IST: Karnataka Police Takes Swift Action

Police and fire brigade teams swiftly responded to the blast site, analyzing the aftermath. Forensic experts started collecting evidence.

05:55 PM IST: Cafe Pillar Ruined

Television footage showed a damaged pillar inside the cafe, indicating the impact of the explosion.

05:58 PM IST: 9 Injured, Confirms Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the blast was caused by a low-intensity improvised explosive device. Nine people were injured in the incident.

06:04 PM IST: NIA to Visit Blast Site Soon

As per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will visit the Bengaluru explosion site.

06:08 PM IST: Siddaramaiah Warns Against Politicizing Incident

CM Siddaramaiah urged against politicizing the incident, stating that the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion.

07:12 PM IST: Multiple Explosions Took Place, Informs CM

CM Siddaramaiah addressed reporters, mentioning that multiple explosions took place, and the CCTV footage is being examined. He assured disciplinary and strict action against those involved.

07:44 PM IST: Bengalurians Need Not Worry, Says Deputy CM Shivakumar

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured Bengaluru residents, stating that investigative agencies are seriously looking into the matter.

07:52 PM IST: Siddaramaiah Warns Against Politicizing Incident

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated the need to avoid politicizing the incident and urged cooperation from everyone.

07:59 PM IST: Investigation Going on in Full Swing, Strict Action Assured

CM Siddaramaiah provided an update on the ongoing investigation, assuring strict action against the culprits. Preliminary investigations revealed a small improvised explosive device.

08:09 PM IST: How Did the Explosion Occur?

Divya Raghavendra Rao, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Rameshwaram Cafe, explained that the explosion occurred in the handwashing area. A customer had left a bag containing the explosive device.

08:48 PM IST: BJP Criticizes Government’s Handling

BJP criticized the Karnataka government, labeling the incident as a failure of police intelligence. The opposition demanded a detailed inquiry into the incident.

09:00 PM IST: Siddaramaiah Addresses Media

CM Siddaramaiah addressed the media, stating that investigations are progressing, and the government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

09:09 PM IST: Deputy CM’s Explanation

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reiterated that the blast was caused by a low-intensity explosive device left by a youth. Investigations are ongoing.

09:18 PM IST: Injured Undergo Treatment

The injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, and their condition is being closely monitored.

09:31 PM IST: Conclusion

As Bengaluru grapples with the aftermath of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, questions surrounding safety, security, and government accountability loom large. The investigation unfolds, revealing the complexities and challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the well-being of citizens.

Note: All information is based on sources available at the time of writing and is subject to change.