In the cooker bomb blast case in Karnataka, Mohammed Shariq sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment

He had planned a bomb attack at a temple

Mangaluru (Karnataka) – The main accused in the cooker bomb blast case, Mohammed Shariq, has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by a special court of the National Investigation Agency. Shariq was sentenced after pleading guilty before the court.

Case details 

On 19 November 2022, a cooker bomb exploded inside a moving autorickshaw in the Kankanady area of Mangaluru. Shariq was transporting an improvised explosive device concealed in a pressure cooker, allegedly intending to plant it in a temple. However, due to an incorrect timer setting, 9 minutes instead of 90; the device detonated prematurely while still in transit. Both Shariq and the rickshaw driver sustained serious injuries in the blast.

Investigations revealed that Shariq’s objective was to trigger an explosion at the Manjunath Temple to incite communal tensions. He was identified as an active member of a Shivamogga-based module (inspired by the Islamic State, involved in planning and executing terror activities.) He was also involved in many anti-national activities earlier.