Overview
- The National Investigation Agency has registered a new case and taken charge of the Sundarpada explosion inquiry.
- Labs are testing residues to confirm if the device used RDX, a high-intensity military explosive rarely seen in routine crime.
- Officers are questioning people linked to prime accused Shahnawaz Malik, including a close acquaintance, to track his contacts and supplies.
- The blast on January 27 in Azad Nagar occurred as Malik allegedly worked on an explosive on a rooftop, leading to his death and his mother’s death and injuring others.
- Investigators seized materials and reviewed CCTV earlier, and the case is expected to extend beyond Odisha as they check for organised crime or extremist links.