NIA files chargesheet in Bhubaneswar bomb blast case against 2 accused
Synopsis
The NIA has formally charged two men for the January 2026 Bhubaneswar bomb blast — in which four were injured and two died — alleging a criminal conspiracy to illegally procure and use explosives. With RDX suspected and a wider supply network still under probe, the case has the makings of a larger organised terror trail in Odisha.
Key Takeaways
The NIA filed a chargesheet on 1 October 2026 before the Special Court, Bhubaneswar in the 27 January 2026 bomb blast case.
Accused named: Sanu alias Rohan Ranjan Rout and Amiya Ranjan Mallik , charged under the BNS , Explosive Substances Act , and Explosive Act .
The blast, which occurred at New Azadnagar, Sundarpada , injured four people; two later died from burn injuries.
NIA took over the case on 4 April 2026 , re-registering it as RC-01/2026/NIA/BBSR .
Investigators suspect the use of RDX and are probing a wider network that allegedly supplied explosives to the accused.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, 1 October 2026, filed a chargesheet before the Special Court, Bhubaneswar in Odisha, naming two accused in connection with a bomb blast at a residential building in New Azadnagar, Sundarpada, that occurred in January 2026. The chargesheet marks a significant escalation in what investigators have described as a potential organised terror network operating in the state.
The Accused and Charges
The chargesheet has been filed against Sanu alias Rohan Ranjan Rout and Amiya Ranjan Mallik under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Explosive Act, according to an NIA statement. Sanu alias Rohan Ranjan Rout was arrested following simultaneous raids at multiple locations across Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and other states.
What Happened on 27 January 2026
The blast occurred on 27 January 2026 at approximately 2.45 pm, when four individuals allegedly engaged in bomb-making inside the residential structure sustained severe burn injuries in an accidental explosion. Two of the four later succumbed to their injuries, according to the NIA. The blast also left Sehanwaz Mallik and his mother Lizatun Bibi injured. Officials from Airfield Police Station conducted the initial investigation, with forensic teams collecting chemical residue from the blast site.
How the NIA Took Over
Amid suspicion over the use of RDX and the possibility of an organised terror network being active in Odisha, the NIA stepped in and re-registered the case as RC-01/2026/NIA/BBSR on 4 April 2026. The agency's probe established that the accused were actively involved in a criminal conspiracy to illegally procure explosive materials and prepare bombs with the intention of committing a crime, the NIA said in its statement.
Investigation Ongoing: Network Being Traced
The NIA confirmed that further investigation is continuing, with the agency working to identify and apprehend the network that allegedly supplied explosive substances to the accused. Investigators are also looking to trace remaining accused individuals believed to be part of the broader conspiracy. Notably, this is among the first cases in Odisha where the NIA has invoked multiple explosive-related laws simultaneously, signalling the gravity with which the agency views the case.
Point of View
Not a ceiling. Odisha has not historically been associated with organised explosive-linked terror networks, which makes the supply-chain question especially significant for state security planners.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the NIA charged in the Bhubaneswar bomb blast case?
The NIA has filed a chargesheet against two accused — Sanu alias Rohan Ranjan Rout and Amiya Ranjan Mallik — in connection with the 27 January 2026 bomb blast at New Azadnagar, Sundarpada, Bhubaneswar. They have been charged under the BNS, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Explosive Act.
What happened in the Bhubaneswar bomb blast of January 2026?
On 27 January 2026, at around 2.45 pm, an explosion occurred inside a residential building in New Azadnagar, Sundarpada, injuring four persons who were allegedly making bombs. Two of the four later died from severe burn injuries, and two other residents — Sehanwaz Mallik and his mother Lizatun Bibi — were also injured.
Why did the NIA take over the Bhubaneswar blast investigation?
The NIA stepped in after suspicions arose over the possible use of RDX and the presence of an organised terror network in Odisha. The agency re-registered the case as RC-01/2026/NIA/BBSR on 4 April 2026 and conducted multi-state raids leading to the arrest of one of the accused from Uttar Pradesh.
Is the Bhubaneswar bomb blast investigation complete?
No. The NIA has confirmed that further investigation is continuing. The agency is still working to identify the network that illegally supplied explosive materials to the accused and to apprehend remaining suspects believed to be part of the broader conspiracy.
What laws have been invoked against the accused?
The two accused have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Explosive Act — a combination that reflects the NIA's assessment of the seriousness and organised nature of the alleged offence.
