Kochi: Kochi police have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly setting fire to a nursery close to the Kadavumbhagam synagogue in Ernakulam Market, and are now examining whether the incident was part of a larger, possibly foreign-linked conspiracy.
The accused, Ebin B Paul of Puthencruz, was traced and detained within hours of the fire, which occurred around 2.30 am on Monday. Investigators said he reached the spot in a blue Maruti Suzuki Ignis, poured petrol at Blossom Nursery near the synagogue and ignited it. He allegedly filmed the act on his mobile phone before leaving the area.
How Police Traced Him
Considering the proximity to a Jewish place of worship, Kochi City Police treated the case as a security-sensitive matter and began a detailed inquiry under Deputy Commissioner of Police Arun K Pavithran.
CCTV footage from the market and surrounding localities was examined, while officers collected information from nearly 150 people, as reported by The new Indian Express. Although the car’s registration number could not be clearly read from the footage, cyber and technical analysis enabled investigators to identify the vehicle and connect it to Paul.
He was later found at a rented house in Puthencruz, where he had allegedly been hiding, and was taken into custody.
‘Boss’ & Crypto Angle
A preliminary check of Paul’s phone reportedly showed videos of the fire and messages with individuals and online groups believed to have foreign connections. Police said the accused referred to one unidentified person as “Boss” and may have carried out attacks on directions, filmed them and sent the footage in return for payment.
Investigators are also looking into signs that cryptocurrency may have been used to transfer the alleged payments. Some messages reportedly mentioned Jewish places of worship and possible attacks in other Indian cities. Police, however, said the authenticity of these communications and the suspected international links have not yet been confirmed.
The inquiry has also pointed to a possible role for Paul in an earlier arson case in Muvattupuzha. Police compared footage from both incidents and recovered videos from his phone believed to be linked to the earlier case. He allegedly admitted involvement during questioning.
Suspicious messages concerning drug deals were also found on his devices and passed on to the Ernakulam Rural Police.
Separate Drug Case
Central agencies are reviewing the information on possible foreign links. Police are focusing on forensic checks of Paul’s digital devices, verification of his communications and financial transactions, and efforts to establish whether he was connected to other offences.
A special investigation team, headed by Ernakulam Central Inspector Anish Joy and supervised by DCP Pavithran, has been formed. It includes officers from the Ernakulam Central police station, the cyber unit and the special cell.
Meanwhile, the Puthencruz police registered a case under the NDPS Act on Tuesday after allegedly recovering eight categories of suspected narcotic and psychotropic substances from Paul’s residence at Ginger County Villas in Patham Mile.
According to the FIR, the substances were found in a bedroom cupboard during a search held before witnesses and an executive magistrate while Paul was in Ernakulam Central Police custody. The seizure reportedly included white and brown heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, alprazolam, ketamine and K-rock.