Dominic Martin,whohad voluntarily surrendered to policeclaimingresponsibilityfortheblastsat a Christian prayer meet two days ago, was on Tuesday described as a “brilliant mind” by investigating officers.
He left behind a lucrative job in the Gulf, which left many questioning his motives.
Police had on Monday formally recorded the arrest of Martinwhohad surrendered a few hours after theblastson Sunday morning.
On Tuesday, the Special Investigation Team took Martin to his residence at Athani near Aluva here, where the explosive devices were suspected to have been assembled, in pursuit of crucial evidence.
Over the course of several hours, Martin provided a detailed account of the construction process, using the materials heclaimedto have used in last Sunday’s explosion thatclaimedthree lives and left over 50 injured.
When Martin surrendered before the police on Sunday, he had produced billsforthe purchased materials, further strengthening the case against him, according to a senior police official.
Billsforpetrol 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 positionforsuch 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 submittedfora 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) (Punishmentformurder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant sections of the UAPA have also been invoked against the accused.
Theblastswere set off at a convention centre inKalamasserynear 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 platformclaimingresponsibilityfortheblastsand stating his reasons.
In the video, which was aired on various TV channels, themanclaimedthat he took the decision as the teachings of the organisation were “seditious.”
Martin furtherclaimedthat Jehovah’s Witnesses and its ideology were dangerousforthe country and therefore its presence had to be ended in the state. Heclaimedthat 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,” themansaid.
Initially, one woman had died and over 50 were injured, six of them critically, in theblasts.
Subsequently, one of the six critically wounded — a 53-year-old woman — succumbed to her injuries.
By Monday morning, the toll rose to three with the death of a 12-year-old girlwhohad suffered 95 per cent burns in the incident.
Presently, 21 people are receiving treatment in various healthcare facilities, with three of them in critical condition.
The investigation team is still working to understand why Martin,whohad a successful career abroad, would allegedly be involved in theblast. As the case moves forward, more information is expected to come to light.
(Published 01 November 2023, 03:29 IST)