The SIT probing the arson near a synagogue in Ernakulam market has found that the accused had searched online for information on Lawrence Bishnoi.
Sources said that the Ebin Paul, 32, who was arrested for allegedly setting fire to the Blossom Nursery located in front of the Kadavubhagam synagogue, has also exchanged messages on Telegram containing references to the gangster.
The incident took place in the early hours of October 6. The accused was produced before the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court after the completion of five days of police custody and was remanded to judicial custody.
Sources say that an examination of Paul’s electronic devices showed that he had conducted several online searches for Bishnoi.
"It seems he was influenced by people involved in criminal activities. He was part of Telegram groups named after various gangsters. There were also references to Bishnoi in several of his chats," sources told PTI.
"So far, there is no evidence that Paul worked for any criminal gang. His activities in the Telegram groups he followed also do not connect him to any criminal group active here," sources said.
The SIT also found that the Paul had made his first attempt to set fire to a building in Mekkappad in Muvattupuzha in January and targeted the same place in March this year.
Police said that the building which housed an officer suffered minor damage.
The SIT also suspected that videos of the incident were sent to his handlers through Telegram.
He also later set fire to a used car showroom in Muvattupuzha before the arson near the synagogue.
Investigators are now attempting to identify his handlers.
Based on the findings, fresh charges will be added to the case, and the SIT will seek his custody again, they added.
Meanwhile, Puthencruz police, which registered a separate case after drugs, including heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, alprazolam and ketamine, were seized from Paul's residence, will soon record his arrest and approach the court seeking his custody.
The NIA also collected information from the police about the case.
