Kochi: Kerala Police have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Ebin Paul, the prime accused in the arson attack near the historic Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, Kochi, as investigators step up efforts to establish whether the incident was part of a wider conspiracy. Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, dealing with terrorist acts and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, have been invoked against the accused, BizzBuzz and Nation Press reported on Friday, October 23.

Source: BizzBuzz

The move marks a major escalation in the investigation into the October 12 attack on the nursery outside the synagogue. Paul remains in judicial custody, with further questioning expected once forensic examination of his mobile phones and other electronic devices yields results.

Source: Nation Press

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is examining the accused's claim that he acted on the instructions of an unidentified handler known as 'Boss'. He has also referred to a person called Vikram, whose identity and possible connection with 'Boss' remain under investigation. Police are trying to establish whether the alleged handler is a real person operating from abroad and whether others were involved in planning the attacks. These are claims made by the accused, reported as such; they have not been independently established.

Source: BizzBuzz

What is solid

  • Kerala Police have invoked UAPA Sections 16 and 18 against Ebin Paul, the prime accused in the October 12 arson attack near the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, Kochi (BizzBuzz; Nation Press).
  • The accused remains in judicial custody, and the SIT is forensically examining his mobile phones and other electronic devices (Nation Press; BizzBuzz).
  • Police have linked the accused to other arson incidents in Muvattupuzha, and the SIT has extended its investigation to Pune, where he studied (BizzBuzz; Nation Press).
  • The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies have gathered information about the case (BizzBuzz; Nation Press).

What is only claimed

  • The accused's claim that he acted on instructions from an unidentified handler called 'Boss', and any link to a person called 'Vikram', are his claims under investigation — police have not established whether such a handler exists or operated from abroad.
  • Whether the synagogue attack was part of a wider conspiracy or a planned sequence with the Muvattupuzha incidents is under investigation and has not been established.

The investigation widened after police linked Paul to other arson incidents in Muvattupuzha, including an attempted fire at a locked house and an attack on a used car showroom, and investigators are examining whether the incidents were connected and formed part of a planned sequence. The SIT has also extended its investigation to Pune, where Paul studied, to gather details about his background and possible connections, and is examining whether any external network influenced or directed his alleged actions.

Source: BizzBuzz

According to the reports, the accused claimed he received instructions through phone calls and digital platforms, and investigators are verifying those claims through forensic examination of his devices, which is expected to help establish the nature of the communications, identify the persons involved and determine whether he received payments for carrying out the attacks. The Kadavumbhagam Synagogue is one of the historic Jewish places of worship in Kerala.