The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday released a new video of the suspect, showing him boarding a bus and changing seats, in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Karnataka’s Bengaluru and requested citizens to help them ascertain his identity.

Releasing the CCTV video of the suspect, the central probe agency asked the citizens with relevant information related to the suspect to call them on their numbers (08029510900, 8904241100) or email them (info.blr.nia@gov.in).

Earlier on March 7, the probe agency shared new photos of the suspected bomber in the Bengaluru blast. The suspect was seen in the photographs travelling on a bus without a mask and cap. At least ten persons were injured in the explosion that happened on March 1 at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield, East Bengaluru.

On March 5, the suspect was spotted in Tumakuru area at a bus stop. One day later, he left the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat and got on a bus bound for Gokarna. In West Bengal, the suspect got off the bus close to Bhatakul.

NIA has also found the suspect’s baseball cap outside a neighbouring mosque. According to a report, it appeared that the suspect from Bangalore changed his attire following the explosion.

The central agency, on March 6, announced a Rs 10 lakh cash reward for any information on the man who planted the low-intensity IED in the Rameshwaram cafe that left ten people injured. The NIA had said that the identity of the informant would remain confidential in the case and issued a drawing of the accused in a wanted poster.

Both NIA and the Central Crime Branch have been searching for the accused, but no arrests have been made in the blast investigation so far. The Karnataka government refused to turn over the inquiry to the central agency, therefore the Union Home Ministry instructed the NIA to start its investigation on Tuesday.

A Delhi cop, who was caught on camera kicking and punching Muslim men offering Namaz on the side of the road in the Inderlok area, has been suspended with immediate effects.

According to reports, the incident took place during the ‘Asar Ki Namaz’ at 2 pm. Due to the overcrowding at a mosque in the Inderlok Metro Station area on Friday, several Muslim men decided to offer prayer on the side of the road.

Seeing them offering prayers on the road, Delhi Police personnel arrived at the spot and one of them, a sub-inspector ranked officer, started mercilessly kicking and hitting men who were kneeling down for Namaz in an attempt to disperse the crowd. A video of the incident has been shared widely on the internet.

Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi Congress called it a shameful act by the police. A cop was hitting people offering Namaz on the road. What could be more shameful than this, the Delhi Congress asked.

A viral video showcased that the Delhi Police official was kicking and slapping the men offering prayers on the road. One police official could be seen shouting at the men and asking them to leave the place.

Speaking on the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) M K Meena said that the police post-in-charge, who was seen in the video, has been suspended with immediate effect. The police officer further said that necessary disciplinary action had been taken. Soon after the incident, the police took cognisance of the video and initiated a probe, Meena further added.

Taking to X, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi shared the video of the incident and said that a Delhi cop was kicking Muslim men while they were offering Namaz and probably does not understand the basic principles of humanity. What is this hatred that is filled in the heart of this policeman, he asked. He requested Delhi Police to file a case against this official under appropriate sections and terminate his service.

Meanwhile, locals blocked the road and demanded action against the policeman for his act. Later, security in the area was beefed up to maintain a law and order situation.

The government on Friday asserted that several Indians have been duped to work with the Russian Army, adding that they have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian authorities for an early release of such citizens. 

Reports said that around two dozen Indians have been forced into fighting Russia’s war against Ukraine after being tricked by agents into going to the country on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs. One of them was even killed earlier this week in the conflict zone.

Issuing an official release, the Indian government affirmed that strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises. The official statement follows a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out raids in seven cities and busted a ring involved in trafficking Indians to Russia.

On Thursday, the CBI busted a major human trafficking network conducting searches in several cities and collecting incriminating evidence. The Centre said that a case of human trafficking has been registered against several agents.

During the CBI raids, it emerged that 35 Indians were sent by these firms to Russia and Ukraine, but an official said it was not clear if all of them were forced to take part in the war. Nearly 20 Indians trapped in Russia had contacted the Indian authorities, the foreign ministry had earlier said.

Furthermore, the government also appealed to the citizens not to be swayed by offers made by agents for support jobs with the Russian Army since it is fraught with danger and risk to life. The government mentioned that they remain committed to the early release of our nationals serving as support staff with the Russian Army and their eventual return home.

Earlier, the Centre had admitted that some Indians are entangled in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine after nearly a dozen families appealed for their return. The families had claimed their sons were promised support jobs in Russia but were ultimately enlisted in the army.

This week, a group of six young men from Punjab and Haryana made a video appeal to the government from Russia, claiming they were tricked into fighting the war against Ukraine.