Investigation officers to obtain DNA of cafe blast suspect through his cap

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the low-intensity blast at the popular eatery in the city, have now sought help from the Forensic experts to determine the identity of the suspect.

On March 1, an unidentified man walked into the Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookefield and left a bag containing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fitted with a timer at the hotel.

The device exploded at 12:55 pm injuring at least nine people including a woman who sustained 35 per cent burn injuries on her body.

The NIA and the state police have been combing the districts in search of the suspect incessantly.

On Monday, the sources said that the investigation officers are using a cap worn by the suspect to obtain hair samples for DNA analysis and matching.

The baseball cap, which allegedly belonged to the suspect, was recovered by Bengaluru police a few days ago from a place in Hoodi. It is believed that the suspect changed his clothes in order to conceal his identity before escaping from the city.

According to the police, the hair samples found in the cap can be used to obtain the DNA and establish the identity of the suspect.

Suspect 'in a way' identified, efforts on to nab him: Home Minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said sleuths investigating into the March one blast at the city's popular eatery 'The Rameshwaram Cafe' have "in a way" identified the suspect, and efforts are on to nab him.

He said the investigators are verifying the suspect's identity and are "getting closer to him."

"Investigations are going on, we are closing in, in a way who the person (Suspect) is has been identified. It has to be confirmed and he has to be nabbed. They are doing it, NIA is doing it, and CCB is doing it with them. They have got good leads," Parameshwara told reporters here.

On the trail of the suspect, the sleuths investigating the case had visited Tumakuru, Ballari, and Kalaburagi.