Kalamassery blast; accused Dominic Martin had no external motivation; chargesheet filed 

KOCHI: A charge sheet has been filed saying that the accused Dominic Martin had no external motivation behind the Kalamassery blast case that claimed the lives of eight people. According to the 3,578-page chargesheet filed yesterday in the Ernakulam District Principal Sessions Court, Martin was motivated by resentment over Jehovah's Witnesses spreading false ideas and rejecting his proposals. Dominic Martin is the only defendant. Sections of UAPA, Explosives Prohibition Act and IPC have been imposed.

The charge sheet contains 150 documents including 294 testimonies and evidence. The prosecution had received permission to submit the charge sheet in the UAPA case last day. Martin's chances of getting bail ended after the charge sheet was filed.

The first blast occurred at 9:30 am on October 29 at the Kalamassery Zamra Convention Centre, where the regional convention of Jehovah's Witnesses was held. There were two more explosions in quick succession. Eight people, including three members of a family, died due to severe burns. 52 people who panicked and ran out of the hall fell down and were injured.

The explosion at the start of the Israeli-Palestinian war caused great concern, but speculations subsided with the arrest of Dominic Martin. The NIA also conducted a parallel investigation. More than two thousand people were in the hall. Martin had made preparations two months in advance. Martin learned how to make IED bombs through the Internet.

Came live and claimed responsibility

Dominic Martin, who fled the scene after the blast, later claimed responsibility for the blast in a Facebook video and surrendered to the Kodakara police. The main inquiry was to see if anyone else was behind Martin, but none was found. The police conducted a thorough investigation in the case. The arrest was made after collecting all the evidence according to the accused's statements. The foreign relations of the accused, who had been an expatriate for many years, were also sought. Kochi DCP S Sudarshan investigated the case.

Those who died in the explosion

Kumari Pushpan (53), Liona (55), Libna (12), Libna's mother Sally (45)

Brother Praveen (24), Molly Joy (61), K.A. John (77) and John's wife Lily (76).