RailEnquiry

Adding a new turn to the investigation of the pipe bomb blast case, Santhosh, who masterminded the plot has confessed that he planted the bomb on the railway track for an experimental blast to reaffirm his technical know-how in bomb making.  He said that he learned the technology of bomb-making by studying the sketches of bombs which were published in newspapers after bomb blasts or attempt cases were reported.  The arrest of Senthil and Santhosh has also brought a turning point in the investigation of the blast at Ernakulam District Collectorate in July, 2009, with common threads being revealed in both blast cases.  According to information received from Senthil, Crime Branch has found that Santhosh has close links with Dalit Human R i g h t ’ s M o v e m e n t (DHRM).  Since similar technology has been used in both the cases, Crime Branch suspects DHRM’s involvement in the collectorate blast case too.  However, Santhosh has denounced his links with any organizations.  According to Crime Branch officials, Santhosh had secured detonators shortly after he came out from jail on bail a year ago.  Since then, he had been searching for an opportunity to conduct a blast.  He collected six detonators and used the first detonator in the rail track blast attempt and stored the others in a rubber plantation near to his house.  Meanwhile, the officers have not completely given into the statements made by Santhosh.  “We don’t trust that he learned the technology of bomb-making through scanning newspaper reports.  We suspect his links with some organizations and investigation will be centered on his links,” a top official in the investigation team told Express.  According to sources in the investigation team, Santhosh was on an attempt to prove his expertise in handling timer bombs to some organizations or groups.  “We have not got any crucial evidence regarding his involvement with any organizations.  However, the investigation will be extended to suspected organizations too,” said C Rajagopal, district police chief, Kottayam.  The police are also looking into his financial sources.