Dominic Martin, an
accused in Kerala’s Kalamasserry multiple blasts case in which four people were
killed including a 12-year-old girl, has been sent to police custody for 10
days till November 15.
After a 61 years’
old woman succumbed to her injuries, the death toll from the blasts has risen
to four. The victim was identified as Moly Joy from Kalamassery, and died at a
private hospital in the early hours of Monday.
Earlier, Martin
was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up by Kochi Police ahead of being
produced before the Ernakulum Principal sessions court.
Dominic Martin, who
was granted custody application by the Principal Sessions court, told it that he
was happy over good behaviour towards him by police and thanked them.
Additionally, the accused told the court that he is healthy and fit and will
cooperate in the investigation.
Investigative
Officer DCP Sasidharan informed the court that they required 10 days of custody
to investigate some sources of explosive substances, financial and technical
sources and his international connections. Police said it is needed to collect
evidence from 10 places.
According to police,
the accused is highly intelligent and hardworking. “He has a highly-paid job.
He was not brainwashed,” they said.
Earlier, police
took Dominic Martin to his residence in Athani, Ernakulam, and recreated the
scene as part of their probe into the multiple explosions incident to collect
more evidence in the case.
The Kerala Police
had said the blast was caused by a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive
Device (IED).
Police said Martin
has been charged under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and
Explosive Substances Act.
According to the
police, the accused also has the bills for the items purchased for the IED
blast and made videos while purchasing the goods.
Kochi Police had
arrested Martin after the blasts based on a self-made confession video posted
on Facebook claiming responsibility for the blasts at the Zamra International
Convention Centre in Kalamassery where over 2,000 followers of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, a Christian sect, had gathered for a prayer meeting earlier in the
month.
Following the
incidents, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a 20-member probe team to
investigate the matter.
NE Watch Desk / ANI
