Mangaluru cooker blast: NIA court sentences accused Mohammed Shariq to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment

On November 19, 2022, an improvised, low-intensity IED inside a pressure cooker exploded in a moving autorickshaw at 4:30 pm, near Kankanady, Mangaluru.

Bengaluru: A special NIA court on Monday sentenced the accused in the Mangaluru cooker blast case, Mohammed Shariq, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI).

The pressure cooker IED had exploded at Nagori in Mangaluru on November 19, 2022, when Mohammed Shariq was carrying it in an autorickshaw. Autorickshaw driver Purushottam and Shariq sustained injuries in the incident.

The special court sentenced Shariq to 10 years RI after finding him guilty of offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court has also imposed a cost of Rs 94,000 upon the convict.

In November 2023, the NIA filed the chargesheet, stating that Shariq had planned to plant the IED at the Kadri Manjunatha Temple in Mangaluru. It stated that he made the IED, while another accused had provided material support.

Shariq first came on the radar of security forces in November 2020 when he was arrested for painting graffiti in Mangaluru. The graffiti was in support of the global terror outfit, Islamic State. He was also named in the Shivamogga Islamic State conspiracy case of 2022.

Victim disappointed with verdict

Purushotham Poojary, who suffered serious injuries in the cooker blast in a moving autorickshaw on November 19, 2022, has expressed dissatisfaction over the 10-year imprisonment awarded to the prime accused, Mohammed Shariq, stating that he had expected life imprisonment as punishment for the convict, reports DHNS from Mangaluru.

Purushotham had suffered severe burn injuries when a low-intensity blast occurred inside his autorickshaw near Nagori.

Responding to the verdict delivered by the special National Investigation Agency court, which sentenced accused Mohammed Shariq to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, Purushotham sought to know what was the guarantee of accused not engaging in anti-national activities again.

Recounting his recovery, Purushotham said he had spent 100 days in hospital and remained bedridden for more than a year following the blast.

He said he continues to spend about Rs 1,000 every 15 days on medicines. The incident has significantly disrupted his life and livelihood. he said.

He also highlighted the limited financial assistance he received after the attack. MLA D Vedavyas Kamath provided an autorickshaw and Rs 5 lakh in financial aid, while the Gurubeladingalu Foundation, led by R Padmaraj, supported the renovation of his house.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad welcomed the court’s verdict but described the sentence as too less. It urged National Investigation Agency to file an appeal seeking a harsher punishment.

Following the verdict, VHP workers offered prayers at Garodi Shri Brahmabaidarkala Kshetra.

VHP Prantha Joint Secretary Sharan Pumpwell said the coastal region has been a target of various destructive activities. For the safety of the people, the Union government should take measures to set up an NIA unit in Mangaluru, he urged.