Kerala blast accused ’Brilliant’, left lucrative job in Gulf: Police
mangaloretoday.com/News18
Kochi, Nov 01, 2023: The Kerala blast accused, Dominic Martin, who had voluntarily surrendered to police claiming responsibility for the blasts at a Christian sect’s prayer meet two days ago, was on Tuesday described as a “brilliant mind” by investigating officers.
Police said he abandoned a well-paying job in the Gulf, prompting many to question his motivations.
On Monday, the police officially documented the arrest of Martin, who had turned himself in a few hours after the explosions on Sunday morning. On Tuesday, the Special Investigation Team accompanied Martin to his residence in Athani near Aluva, where it was believed the explosive devices were assembled, in search of crucial evidence.
Over the course of several hours, Martin provided a comprehensive account of the construction process, detailing the materials he claimed to have used in last Sunday’s explosion that resulted in three fatalities and over 50 injuries. When Martin surrendered to the police on Sunday, he presented receipts for the materials he had purchased, further solidifying 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 has further deepened the mystery surrounding the case. Martin, donned in a face-covering mask, appeared 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 the 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. Initially, one woman had died and over 50 were injured, six of them critically, in the blasts.
Subsequently, one of the six critically wounded — a 53-year-old woman — succumbed to her injuries. the toll rose to three with the death of a 12-year-old girl who had suffered 95 per cent burns in the incident.
At present, 21 people are receiving treatment in various healthcare facilities, with three of them in critical condition.
While investigation is still on to understand why Martin, who had a successful career abroad, would allegedly be involved in the blast, top Intelligence sources told News18 that enough evidence has been gathered to support claims made by Martin Dominic on social media, adding that he had serious differences with Jehova’s Witnesses due to various reasons.