The devastating consequences of the bomb blasts that occurred on October 29 in Kalamassery, Kochi, continue to unfold, as the death toll has now reached four with the passing of a 62-year-old woman, Molly Joy Mathew. Molly, a resident of Kalamassery, had endured severe burn injuries, amounting to over 80%, as a result of the IED blasts that shook a zonal convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a global Christian sect.
In a somber statement, the Jehovah’s Witnesses expressed their deep condolences, saying, “With profound grief, we deeply regret to inform the tragic demise of our dear aunty Molly Joy Mathew. She was undergoing treatment post her injuries at the Kalamassery blast. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”
Molly Joy Mathew was receiving medical care at the Ernakulam Medical Centre but, regrettably, suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Monday, ultimately passing away at 5 am. TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson of the Christian group, confirmed her tragic demise.
At present, three more individuals who sustained injuries during the bomb blasts remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at two private hospitals, highlighting the severity of the incident.
The other victims who lost their lives in the tragic event were identified as Leyona Poulose (55), Kumari Pushpan (53), and KP Libina (12). Libina’s mother and elder brother are among those currently in critical condition. The 12-year-old was laid to rest at a Jehovah’s Witnesses cemetery in Koratty on November 4.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court is set to consider a petition from the special investigation team of the state police, which requests custody of Dominic Martin, the sole accused in the bomb blasts case. Martin, a 57-year-old former English tutor and Gulf returnee, had claimed responsibility for the explosions and was remanded to judicial custody for 30 days on October 31.
Dominic Martin chose to represent himself in court, stating that he did not require legal counsel and could argue his case independently. The court accepted his plea and recognized the gravity of the charges against him. It also granted the police permission to conduct a test identification parade involving the accused in the days following his arrest.
The bomb blast occurred around 9:30 am on October 29, shattering a private convention center in Kalamassery town, Kerala, during a gathering of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Martin, who had declared himself a member of the religious group but expressed anger over some of its teachings, claimed responsibility for the blast. The incident has left the community and the region grappling with the tragic loss of life and injuries.
Sources By Agencies
