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1h ago

Man Arrested Over Arson Near Kochi Synagogue

Phone chats that reference an unidentified 'Boss' and suspected foreign contacts have prompted forensic and central‑agency probes into whether the attack was paid and directed.

Ebin Paul recorded the arson attack outside the Kochi synagoue on his phone prompting cops to probe terror links.
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Overview

  • The fire was set at Blossom Nursery in front of the Kadavumbhagam synagogue in Ernakulam Market around 2:30–2:40 a.m. on October 12, damaging nursery materials but not the synagogue building.
  • Police traced a blue car from CCTV and witness inquiries and arrested 32‑year‑old Ebin Paul within hours at a rented house in Puthencruz.
  • A preliminary forensic review of the suspect’s phone reportedly found videos of the act, messages referring to Jewish places of worship and mentions of other attack locations.
  • Investigators say the phone contains references to an unidentified handler called 'Boss' and to possible payments including cryptocurrency while a separate search seized suspected narcotics from the suspect’s home.
  • A Special Investigation Team led by Kochi police with cyber forensics and support from central agencies is probing links to an earlier Muvattupuzha arson and whether an organised or international network directed the attack, with inquiries and financial tracing ongoing and not yet conclusive.