Notorious Criminal Dies After Bomb-Making Explosion in Bhubaneswar
Sehnawaz Malik, a 26-year-old notorious criminal who was critically injured while allegedly assembling bombs on the rooftop of his house in Bhubaneswar's Airfield area, has succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Wednesday. The city police confirmed his death, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn attention from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Intense Explosion Prompts NIA Inquiry
The explosion that occurred on January 27 was so intense that it prompted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter. Investigators later ruled out any links to terrorism or radicalization, focusing instead on criminal activities as the likely motive behind the bomb-making operation.
"He had suffered serious burn injuries on his body. He succumbed in the afternoon," an officer from the Airfield police station stated, providing details about Malik's condition before his death.
Multiple Victims Remain Hospitalized
Malik's mother, his fiancée, and another associate who were also injured in the blast continue to receive treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. Police authorities plan to question these individuals once they recover sufficiently, hoping to gather crucial information about the bomb-making operation and Malik's criminal network.
Criminal History and Police Surveillance
Malik had been released on bail just six months prior to the incident following his involvement in a political clash in Nayapalli. Since his release, he had been under close police surveillance due to his extensive criminal background. Police records show Malik was previously booked in seven serious offences, including:
- Attempted murder cases
- Multiple charges under the Arms Act
- Criminal activities registered at both Nayapalli and Maitri Vihar police stations
Police Investigation Faces Setback
Investigators had hoped to question Malik directly to determine several key aspects of the case, including:
- Whether he was acting alone or had accomplices in his criminal operations
- The intended purpose of the explosives - whether for general criminal activities or targeted political violence
- The extent of his bomb-making and distribution network
"Since his mother, fiancée, and associate were also involved in preparing the bombs, we will seek details from them once they recover. Prima facie, we suspect that deceased Malik's intention was to supply the explosives to criminal groups. He had previously supplied bombs to different criminal gangs and used the explosives himself in some crimes," the investigating police officer explained.
Probe Expected to Slow Down
With Malik's death, the police investigation is expected to face significant delays. Authorities had considered him a key source of information about criminal bomb-making and distribution networks operating in the region. His demise removes the possibility of direct interrogation, forcing investigators to rely on secondary sources and forensic evidence.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about organized crime and illegal explosive manufacturing in urban areas, with law enforcement agencies now focusing on dismantling any remaining networks that Malik might have been associated with during his criminal career.
