Man arrested over Kerala synagogue arson attack, phone chats trigger terror probe

Police arrested Ebin Paul after a nursery outside Kochi's Kadavubhagam synagogue was set ablaze. Suspicious phone communications have prompted investigations into possible terror links, cryptocurrency payments and other crimes.

In Short

• Man arrested for setting fire to nursery near Kochi synagogue
• CCTV and phone evidence link accused to suspected terror chats
• Police probe possible international terror and crypto payments

A man has been arrested for setting fire to a nursery outside a synagogue in Kerala's Kochi, with police probing suspected terror links after finding suspicious chats on his phone. The incident, which occurred around 2.30 am on Monday, was captured on CCTV footage that helped investigators trace the accused.

In the footage, Ebin Paul, the 32-year-old accused, is seen carrying an unidentified object that appears to be lit and throwing it into the Blossom Nursery premises, located in front of the Kadavubhagam synagogue.

Moments later, a fireball erupts.

According to the police, Paul also recorded the attack on his phone and might have acted on the instructions of a person he referred to as “Boss."

A preliminary examination of his phone allegedly revealed communications with people suspected of having foreign links, participation in online groups and messages referring to Jewish places of worship and possible attacks in different Indian cities.

Investigators are examining whether the arson was part of a wider operation in which the accused was instructed to target specific locations, record the incidents and send the footage to others in return for payment.

The possibility of payments through cryptocurrency is also being probed.

However, police have said the suspected international connections and terror links have not yet been conclusively established.

A detailed forensic examination of the accused’s phone and other digital devices will be conducted to verify the communications, identify those involved and establish the motive behind the attack.

CCTV footage from Ernakulam Market and nearby areas, along with technical evidence analysed with the help of the cyber wing, helped police trace the vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

Although its registration number was not clearly visible in the footage, investigators examined multiple leads and identified the vehicle.

The trail led police to a rented house in Puthencruz, where Paul was found hiding and arrested within hours of the incident.

Police are also investigating a possible link between the Kochi arson and a similar incident reported earlier in Muvattupuzha, also in Ernakulam district.

Investigators found videos on the accused’s phone suspected to be connected to that case.

According to the investigation team, Paul admitted during questioning to his involvement in the earlier incident, though his role is being examined further.

Suspicious communications related to drug transactions were also allegedly found on his digital devices.

Following the leads, the police raided his rented house and seized substances, including heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, alprazolam and ketamine.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to establish the motive, verify the suspected network and determine whether the accused was involved in other crimes.

- Ends
(With PTI inputs)