Bhubaneswar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a person in connection with the Sundarpada blast case under Airfield Police limits in Odisha capital.

The arrested has been identified as Rohan Ranjan Routray, a resident of Patia in the capital city. The NIA arrested the accused from Uttar Pradesh.   

The NIA had earlier visited the blast site at Azad Nagar in Sundarpada area of the capital city and carried out a detailed on-ground inspection after taking over the probe from the Commissionerate Police. The agency is investigating the explosion from multiple angles, including possible criminal links and whether there is any connection to terror activities.

The powerful explosion occurred on January 27 this year. The prime accused Shehenwaz Mallik alias Mafi and his mother later died while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the blast.

The explosion took place while Mallik was allegedly making bombs on the roof of their rented house in Sundarpada area.

The NIA had registered a case and assumed full responsibility for the investigation. The NIA probe is focusing on the alleged use of RDX in the bomb and Mallik’s alleged interstate links.

The NIA has so far quizzed at least 10 persons to ascertain whether there was a larger conspiracy in the blast case.