By our Legal Correspondent
Kochi, Nov 02 (IVC) The Jehovah’s Witnesses sources here said that the organization had decided to cancel its scheduled prayer meetings for the time being.
It was attributed to the impact of the bomb blasts at its prayer meeting at nearby Kalamassery Convention Centre on October 29 though the accused surrendered before the police on Sunday itself and confessed the crime.
Maartin V D the accused in the bomb blast case on Oct 31 remanded in judicial custody till November 29, the official sources said.
Martin informed the Principal District and Sessions Court here that he would argue his case as the party in person and declined to receive legal aid by the State. Though a lawyer engaged by the Kerala State Legal Service Authority was present in the court and the accused said he wanted to present his case in his voice.
The judge, Honey M Varghese asked the accused whether he had any complaints against the police. The court also informed him that the State was willing to provide him with legal assistance if he had financial constraints to engage a lawyer . Martin, however affirmed that he would argue his case in the court.
The police brought the accused to the court by 1900 hours on Oct 31, after completing the day’s investigation. The accused was made to wear a face mask while being presented in the court as the police wanted to protect the identity of the accused for completing the investigation proceedings including his identification parade.
The accused was remanded in the district jail at Kakkanad on a request from the police.
The police may seek the custody of the accused in the coming days. Meanwhile, the special investigation team (SIT) probing the multiple blasts recorded components used by Martin to manufacture the improvised explosive devices (IED) used for the explosion from the terrace of his house at Athani nearby Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery on October 31.
