Dominic Martin, who had surrendered to police claiming
responsibility for the blasts at a Christian prayer meet three days ago, was
described as a “brilliant mind” by investigating officers.
He left behind a lucrative job in the Gulf, which left
many questioning his motives.
Police had on Monday formally recorded the arrest of
Martin who had surrendered a few hours after the blasts on Sunday.
On Tuesday, the Special Investigation Team took Martin
to his residence at Athani near Aluva here, where the explosive devices were
suspected to have been assembled, in pursuit of crucial evidence.
Over the course of several hours, Martin provided a
detailed account of the construction process, using the materials he claimed to
have used in the explosion that claimed three lives and left over 50 injured.
When Martin surrendered before the police on Sunday,
he had produced bills for the purchased materials, further strengthening the
case against him, according to a senior police official.
Bills for petrol purchases linked to the creation of
the explosive were among the documents he produced.
Described as a person of “exceptional intelligence and
diligence”, Martin’s decision to relinquish a high-paying overseas position for
such a shocking act has confounded authorities.
His proficiency in electronics was taken note of by
the police.
Martin, wearing a face-covering mask, was presented
before the court on Tuesday.
An application is set to be submitted for a test
identification parade at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Wednesday, a
procedural step in the legal process.
Despite being offered legal assistance multiple times
by the court, Martin insisted on representing himself. He stated clearly that
this is his choice, dispelling any notions of financial difficulties.
Besides Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
(Punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant
sections of the UAPA have also been invoked against the accused.
The blasts were set off at a convention centre in
Kalamassery near here where a prayer meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses – a
Christian religious group that originated in US in the 19th century – was held
on Sunday.
Prior to surrendering before the police, Martin had
put out a video message on a social media platform claiming responsibility for
the blasts and stating his reasons.
In the video, which was aired on various TV channels,
the man claimed that he took the decision as the teachings of the organisation
were “seditious.” Martin further claimed that Jehovah’s Witnesses and its
ideology were dangerous for the country and therefore its presence had to be
ended in the state. He claimed that he had told the organisation several times
to correct its teachings, but it was not ready to do so.
“As I had no other option, I took this decision,” the
man said.
The investigation team is still working to understand
why Martin, who had a successful career abroad, would allegedly be involved in
the blast. As the case moves forward, more information is expected to come to
light.
PTI
