Police seized Eldo Paul within hours of the blaze, noting he poured petrol into the nursery and recorded the act on his phone before fleeing in a blue Maruti Suzuki Ignis. These CCTV visuals were crucial, but cameras in the market were largely switched off overnight, forcing investigators to sift through footage from neighbouring shops and question about 150 witnesses to piece together the timeline.
During a forensic sweep of Paul's phone, investigators uncovered encrypted chats with unknown contacts labeled as a “Boss,” hinting at instructions from abroad. The messages also referenced cryptocurrency transfers, suggesting payments for the arson and video uploads were routed through digital wallets, a tactic increasingly used by transnational terror cells.
Police linked the current attack to a prior arson in Muvattupuzha, where similar videos appeared on Paul's device. The earlier case, which the accused admitted to during questioning, may represent a broader, coordinated campaign targeting public institutions in Kerala.
Ernakulam Central Assistant Commissioner Sibi Tom has convened a special investigation team, with Deputy Commissioner Arun K Pavithran overseeing operations. The Kerala State Police Chief praised the swift arrest and calls for a joint inquiry with central agencies to trace the foreign handlers and financial trails. The investigation is now at the stage of cross‑agency data sharing, with a formal probe slated to commence next week.