Police investigating the arson attack near the Kadavubhagam synagogue in Kochi have found online searches for gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Telegram chats referring to him on the suspect’s electronic devices. However, investigators have found no direct evidence linking the accused to the Bishnoi gang, even as they examine possible connections with online criminal networks.

The findings have drawn attention because the Bishnoi gang has also been linked to a recent shooting targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. Police are yet to establish whether the two cases have any connection.

How Telegram chats sparked suspected links to the Bishnoi gang

Police arrested 32-year-old Ebin Paul (also known as Ebin B. Paul), a native of Puthencruz near Kochi, for allegedly setting fire to Blossom Nursery in front of the Kadavubhagam synagogue on October 12. When officers examined his electronic devices, they found online searches for Lawrence Bishnoi and Telegram chats referencing the gangster. Ebin was also exchanging messages with an online handler who went by the name "Boss".

A police source told PTI, "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".

Because major criminal syndicates frequently use encrypted messaging apps like Telegram to coordinate attacks and direct shooters, Kerala Police went on high alert. Investigators are now trying to clarify whether Ebin was in contact with the real Bishnoi syndicate or simply an imposter copycat group.

What happened in the Tiger Shroff case and who is Anil Pandit

To understand why police are alarmed by Bishnoi gang references, one must look at the recent attack on actor Tiger Shroff. Gangster Anil Pandit, a 32-year-old native of Panipat in Haryana who allegedly operates from the United States, emerged as a prime suspect in the firing outside Shroff's gym. Three alleged shooters were subsequently arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, while Delhi Police deployed 10 teams to track down his active criminal network.

Pandit released a social media post and an audio clip taking responsibility for the shooting. In the audio message, Pandit claimed Tiger Shroff was targeted because he ignored warnings not to work with superstar Salman Khan. Pandit demanded an apology from Khan to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Bishnoi community over the 1998 blackbuck shooting incident. He further warned, "If there was no apology, others in the film fraternity close to the star would also be targeted". Pandit has also been linked to more than a dozen extortion and attack cases, including a firing outside singer Guru Randhawa's gym in Delhi.

Ebin Paul's spree of fires and money motivation

Despite the nationwide concern surrounding gangster syndicates, local findings point toward a somewhat different motive for Ebin Paul. During questioning, Ebin confessed that his primary motivation for setting the fires was simply to make money. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that the synagogue area arson was actually part of a larger series of attacks.

In January and March this year, Ebin first attempted to burn down a building housing an office at Mekkappad in Muvattupuzha. He later set fire to a used-car showroom in Muvattupuzha before targeting the nursery near the Kochi synagogue. Police suspect he filmed videos of these fires and sent them to his online handlers via Telegram to receive payments. Additionally, Puthencruz police registered a separate narcotics case against Ebin after seizing drugs—including heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, alprazolam, and ketamine—from his house.

What investigators say about proof

Despite the alarming gang references found on Ebin's phone, the SIT probing possible terror links has urged caution regarding any gang ties. A police source explicitly stated, "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".

On Monday, October 19, Ebin was produced before the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court following five days of police custody and was remanded to judicial custody. However, police plan to add fresh charges and seek his custody again as digital forensic analysis continues. Central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have also gathered information from local police regarding the case.