Eldho Paul
Kochi : Ebin Paul (32) of Puthencruz, who was arrested by Kochi City Police for allegedly setting fire to a horticulture nursery located on the premises of Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Kochi, was remanded in judicial custody on Monday. Police have launched a probe to confirm if the case has any direct connections to such gangs.
Police sources said that the internet search history of the accused showed searches relating to organised groups like the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Paul, according to the police, is alleged to have committed the crime for money. A Telegram group of which Paul was a member is also under the police lens since it also has references to the Bishnoi gang. A detailed probe into the members of the group is on. Police are yet to trace the identity of his handler who goes by the name Boss. They have found that he received money in the form of cryptocurrency after he recorded visuals of setting fire to a used car showroom in Muvattupuzha and sent it to his handler, Boss. The next mission was to set fire to the plant nursery. Police are planning to take him into custody again after receiving more forensic reports of the gadgets seized from him. Police had identified that he had allegedly set an abandoned house also on fire in Muvattupuzha.
On the expiry of the five-day police custody period, Paul was remanded back in judicial custody on Monday.