The government withdraws the UAPA against the only accused Dominic Martin

A year after the convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Kalamassery in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, the state government has withdrawn charges against Dominic Martin, the sole accused in the case. The blast occurred on October 29, 2023 and claimed eight lives, including that of a .

Speaking to TNM, the investigating officer in the case, KS Sudharsan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (L&O, Traffic), said the UAPA sections were omitted from the charge sheet as they were not given any prosecution sanction. “The first complaint we filed in April included the UAPA complaint and we were waiting for the sanction from the government. However, the sanction was not granted. Now the charge sheet includes charges related to murder and the Explosives Act,” he said. The trial for the case will take place at the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court.

The multiple blasts occurred on the third and final day of the Jehovah’s Witnesses event at the Zamra Convention and Exhibition Center in Kalamassery. The same day, a former member of Jehovah’s Witnesses came forward to take responsibility for the explosions, stating that he was unhappy with the sect’s teachings. He was arrested and booked under the UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act and Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

About 2,000 members of Jehovah’s Witnesses were attending the convention when the explosions occurred, killing eight and injuring more than 50.

The first victim was 60-year-old Layona Paulose from Kuruppampady in Ernakulam, who died immediately due to severe burns. The same day, 53-year-old Kumari from Idukki’s Thodupuzha also succumbed to her injuries. The next day, 12-year-old Libna from Malayattoor in Ernakulam died with 95% burns. On November 11, Libna’s mother Saly Pradeepan died after remaining critical for days. Libna’s brother Praveen (24) died on November 17. On December 2, KA John, a retired tax official, died and five days after his death his wife, 76-year-old Lilly, died.