Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala are investigating possible international terror connections and cryptocurrency transactions following the arrest of a man accused of setting fire to a nursery near a Jewish synagogue in Kochi. The suspect, 32-year-old Ebin Paul, was apprehended within hours after the October 12 incident at Blossom Nursery, located adjacent to the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam Market.

Preliminary inquiries indicate that Paul drove a blue car to the nursery around 2:30 a.m., where he allegedly poured petrol on the premises, ignited the fire, and recorded the act on his mobile phone before fleeing the scene. The close vicinity of the nursery to the synagogue prompted Kochi City Police to treat the case as a potential security threat.

During the investigation, police reportedly discovered on Paul’s phone messages referencing Jewish places of worship, discussions of possible attacks targeting other Indian cities, and communications with individuals believed to have foreign affiliations. Authorities suspect that Paul may have been acting under instructions from a person he described as his “boss,” who purportedly assigned targets and promised payments in return for executing attacks and providing video evidence.

Law enforcement officials are probing whether cryptocurrency was used as a method of payment in the suspected conspiracy. The investigation continues to explore if the arson attack is part of a broader network of planned incidents.

No further details about possible international links or additional suspects have been disclosed. The police have emphasized the ongoing nature of the inquiry and the commitment to ensuring security in the area.