Kochi : Ernakulam Central Police have launched a detailed investigation into the background of a man arrested for allegedly setting fire to a portion of a horticulture nursery located close to Kadavumbhagam Synagogue located in Ernakulam Market area.
The arrested person is Ebin Paul, 32, of Puthencruz. The case pertains to the incident which occurred around 2.30am on Monday. Seized drugs included white heroin (3.613g), brown heroin (2.736g), oxycodone (2.361g), fentanyl (5g), alprazolam (20.171g), ketamine (50.883g) and K rock (20.675g).
Police sources said that the accused poured petrol over the banners and flex boards of the horticulture nursery maintained by one of the office-bearers of the synagogue’s management and set them on fire. The police said that the accused arrived by car, moved the vehicle away, and, while heading towards the synagogue, emptied all the petrol from the can he was carrying into the nursery. Sources said that the police as well as various central agencies have questioned the accused considering the sensitive nature of the synagogue in the backdrop of the Middle East crisis. The police have received information regarding a man identified as Boss who was in constant touch with the accused, according to sources. When asked if extremist links were suspected, a senior officer said that all angles would be probed.
The police tracked him down by tracing the number of the car in which he arrived. Meanwhile, Puthencruz Police seized a cache of drugs from the house of the accused.
The case was registered under BNS Section 326 (g) for mischief by fire intending to cause or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, the destruction of any building which is ordinarily used as a place of worship or as a human dwelling or as a place for the custody of property.