A 32-year-old man has been arrested for setting fire to a nursery in front of a synagogue in Kochi, with police suspecting possible international terror links and a wider conspiracy behind the arson at the Jewish place of worship.
The accused, Ebin B Paul, a native of Ernakulam, poured petrol on Blossom Nursery, run by the synagogue trust and set it on fire around 2.30 am on October 12. He allegedly recorded the incident on his mobile phone before fleeing the spot.
A preliminary examination of the accused's mobile phone and online chats revealed communications with individuals suspected of having foreign links and members of various online groups. Messages allegedly referred to Jewish places of worship and possible attacks in different cities across the country.
The police said they were probing possible international connections, while news agency PTI reported that a terror angle was also under investigation, though this has not yet been conclusively established.
Police suspect that Paul may have acted on the instructions of an unidentified person whom he allegedly referred to as 'Boss'. Investigators are examining whether he was directed to attack designated targets, record the incidents and send the footage in return for payment. The possibility of payments being made through cryptocurrency is also being investigated.
Kochi City Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Arun K Pavithran has confirmed that the preliminary probe has brought to light several suspicious elements and that national agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are also involved.
"We have checked his phones after custody. We found that he is a member of several groups. We also found some messages related to the incidents in some particular groups, and that is a suspicious development. We are probing deeper into it," the officer said.
He added that preliminary information had also indicated that the accused was in touch with someone else, "and we need further information to trace him".
Commenting on the larger conspiracy and the involvement of the NIA, Pavithran said, "We are taking it as a serious issue. The synagogue is a place of international significance. Hence, central agencies are also involved."
Investigators are trying to identify the people involved in the communications, establish their links with the accused and determine whether the arson was part of an organised operation. Allegations that Paul may have been instructed to carry out further attacks are also being examined, though they have not been independently established.
Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also called it a very serious issue, saying that agencies were leaving no stone unturned.
"It is a very serious issue. Our police and investigating agencies have been keenly following it from the very beginning. Already, the culprit has been caught and is under interrogation. National agencies are also in the picture. Let us wait for some more time for the investigation to proceed. But one thing is very clear: we have taken it up in a very serious manner," he said.
Police examined available CCTV footage from Ernakulam Market and nearby areas to identify the vehicle used in the incident. Although cameras at several commercial establishments were reportedly not functioning at night, police examined the available footage and collected information from around 150 people.
With assistance from the cyber wing, the investigation team analysed the available clues and technical evidence to trace the vehicle, identified as a blue Maruti Suzuki Ignis.
The vehicle's registration number was not clearly visible in the footage. Police examined different possibilities before identifying its registration details.
The investigation eventually led police to Puthenkurish area in Eranakuam, where Paul was found hiding in a rented residence and arrested within hours of the incident.
A special investigation team has been formed under the supervision of DCP Pavithran. Assistant Commissioner Sibi Tom, also identified as CB Tom in the investigation details, is leading the probe, while a team headed by Ernakulam Central Police Station Inspector Aneesh Joy is investigating the case.
Police are also investigating a possible connection between the accused and a similar arson incident reported earlier in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.
In a separate development, police also seized suspected narcotic substances from the accused's rented residence during a search on Tuesday, according to the First Information Report (FIR).
Police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the arson, the suspected international connections and the possibility of a wider conspiracy. Investigators are also examining whether the accused was involved in other offences and whether the alleged attacks were coordinated by an unidentified person or group.
The identity of the alleged 'Boss' and the nature of the accused's links with people suspected of having foreign connections remain under investigation.
- Ends