Arson outside synagogue in Kochi: SIT gets five-day custody of accused

The Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II on Thursday (October 15, 2026) sent Ebin Paul, the accused in the arson attack outside the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue, to the custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case for five days.

The court directed the police to ensure that the accused receives proper medical care and medication. The police have also been asked to submit a status report on his medical condition and the necessity of continued custody every 48 hours if the police remand is extended.

The accused, a native of Puthencruz, allegedly set fire to boards kept outside the synagogue gate in the early hours of October 12, 2026.

The SIT has prioritised retrieving and analysing digital evidence to ascertain whether a wider network was involved and to identify those who may have directed the attack. Electronic devices, including the suspect’s smartphones and laptop, have been sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory for data retrieval and forensic mirroring, sources said.

According to the police, the suspect’s communications allegedly contained references to Jewish institutions and other potential targets, as well as messages relating to attacks in various cities across the country. The nature of these communications, the identities of those involved, financial transactions, and possible links to other criminal activities are all under scrutiny. Central agencies are also investigating the incident.