Kochi blasts: Kerala police get 10-day custody of accused Dominic Martin, casualty rises to four

Kerala police was granted a 10-day police custody of the Kochi blasts accused Dominic Martin. The death toll from the blasts that occurred at a Christian religious gathering near here a week ago has risen to four, after a 61-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries. The victim was identified as Moly Joy from Kalamassery, and died at a private hospital in the early hours of Monday, a hospital spokesperson said.

Kochi:A Kerala court here remanded the Kochi blasts accused Dominic Martin to a 10-day police custody for interrogation, while the casualties in the multiple blasts in Kalamassery rose to four, on Monday.

Kochi Principal Sessions Court granted the police ten days custody of the lone accused in the Kochi bomb blast case. Judge Honey M Varghese admitted the police's plea for a 10-day custody of Dominic Martin for interrogation.

Meanwhile, the casualties in the blast during a prayer meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses at a convention center in Kalamassery near here on October 29, rose to four, with the death of sexagenarian woman who succumbed to her burns at 5.08 am on Monday.

The blasts occurred at the international convention centre in Kalamassery, near this port city of Kerala, where the participants had gathered for the final day of a three-day long prayer meeting organised by the followers of Jehovah's Witnesses.

According to the plea, police said they need to investigate the sources of income, international connections, and other related matters, of the accused.

Also, they submitted that the accused has to be taken to certain locations for further collection of evidence.

On Monday, Martin reiterated his stand to present his case as party in person, while declining the assistance of a legal aid services lawyer.

Earlier on October 31, Martin was remanded to judicial custody.

He was booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act. Further, the police have invoked relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the accused in addition.

Martin who turned himself in few hours after the blasts was formally arrested by the police on the same day.

Earlier on that day, Martin, who announced himself to be an estranged member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, announced to his followers, justifying his reasons for carrying out the blasts.

Casualties so far-The death toll from the blasts has risen to four, after a 61-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries.

The victim was identified as Moly Joy from Kalamassery, and died at a private hospital in the early hours of Monday, a hospital spokesperson said.

She had suffered over 70 per cent burns in the blast that occurred at a religious gathering on October 29 and was on ventilator support.

The woman was initially treated at another private hospital and later shifted to Ernakulam Medical Center, he said.

A 12-year-old girl named Libina from Malayattoor in Ernakulam district had also succumbed to her injuries on October 30 at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital.

Two women who were part of the gathering were killed on the day of the incident. (with PTI inputs)

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