Kerala Bomb Blasts: Accused Dominic Sends to Custody till Nov 29, Refuses Legal Aid Again

A Kerala Court has remanded Kochi bomb blast accused Dominic Martin to Judicial custody till November 29, 2023.
Martin, arrested in connection with the Kalamasserry blasts in Kerala that resulted in five fatalities, including a 12-year-old girl, was presented before the court on Wednesday before 11 am.

In a surprising turn, Dominic Martin once again declined legal assistance when produced in court on Wednesday. The court told the accused that he could seek legal aid at any point if he wished.

Expressing gratitude, Martin praised DCP Sasidharan, ACP Rajkumar, and Kalamassery CI Vibin Das for their conduct.

Described as highly intelligent and hardworking by the police, the accused holds a well-paying job and was not influenced, according to law enforcement sources.

As part of their investigation, the police took Dominic Martin to his residence in Athani, Ernakulam, and reconstructed the scene of the multiple explosions to gather additional evidence.

The Kerala Police reported that the blast resulted from a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), leading to three fatalities and over 50 injuries. Martin faces charges under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and Explosive Substances Act.

Police disclosed that the accused possesses receipts for items purchased for the IED blast, and he documented his visits to these locations in videos.

Following his arrest for the blasts at the Zamra International Convention Centre in Kalamassery, where a prayer meeting for over 2,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses followers had convened, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a 20-member investigative team. The Cabinet also decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Redress Relief Fund to the blast victims’ families and cover medical expenses for those undergoing treatment, including in private hospitals.