ED Interrogates Accused in Mangaluru Cooker Blast Case

Quick Summary

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating money laundering and hawala transactions linked to the Mangaluru cooker blast case.
• Questioning of prime accused Mohammad Shariq took place at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Tuesday.
• On August 5, ED provisionally attached a ₹29,176 bank balance belonging to Syed Yasin, another accused in the case, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
• Investigations revealed cryptocurrency dealers deposited ₹2.8 lakh into mule accounts and cash withdrawals totaling ₹41,680 were made from pos agents.
• Funds were allegedly used for online purchases to assemble an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), renting hideouts across Mysuru city and other places, conducting reconnaissance in Tamil Nadu/Kerala/Karnataka, and preparing for a plot targeting Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy temple.
• The bomb accidentally exploded prematurely in an autorickshaw due to timer error: ’09 seconds’ instead of ’90 minutes.’
• ED claims ISIS handler “Colonel” provided bomb-making training via wickr/Telegram apps and arranged funds using mule accounts or cryptocurrencies encashed by Syed Yasin/Mohammad Shariq.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing ED investigation highlights an alarming intersection between terror financing methods like cryptocurrency misuse and traditional hawala systems. By exposing alleged coordination thru encrypted apps such as Wickr/Telegram and a structured chain involving mule accounts or Po