A court in Kochi has sent Ebin B Paul, 32, to five days of police custody after an arson attack near the Kadavumbhagam synagogue in Ernakulam Market. The fire broke out near Blossom Nursery, in front of the synagogue, in the early hours of October 12.
Investigators are examining chats and voice notes allegedly exchanged through Telegram with a person Paul referred to as “Boss”. Police are also checking browsing history, shared media, financial transactions and forensic images of seized devices. The NIA and Intelligence Bureau are assisting, according to media reports. The alleged handler has not been identified.
Police are examining a possible terror or ideological link, but neither report establishes that such a link exists. The defence told the magistrate that Paul had a mental-health condition; the court directed that he receive medication and ordered 48-hour status reports. The remand order, forensic results and final medical assessment remain to be verified.