Dominic Martin is an Indian citizen who made headlines for planning a 2023 bombing in Kerala at a Christian religious gathering.
Wiki/Biography
Dominic Martin, also known as Martin VD, was born in Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) in the state of Kerala, India. According to one source he was born in 1973 (50 years old; as of 2023), according to another source he was born in 1975 (48 years old; as of 2023), according to the driver’s license he provided to the police he is Landlord, born on Saturday, March 19, 1966 (age 57; as of 2023). His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Dominic Martin’s driver’s license provided to his landlord when renting an apartment
He studied until tenth grade; however, he acquired good communication skills in English and worked as an English speaking trainer. After living in India for many years, he moved to Dubai to make a living before returning to India.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′ 9″
Weight (approximately): 65kg
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
His father’s name is Vice President Dominic. He has a brother.
wife and children
His wife, Minnie, is a homemaker. He has a daughter working at Infopark in Ernakulam and a son living in the UK.
Religion/Religious Views
He followed Christianity. He is a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian congregational sect that originated in the United States in the 19th century. However, he did not believe in their teachings.
address
Before his arrest in October 2023, he lived at House No. 92 along Comrade Khader Road in Kuthapady, Thammanam, for about five and a half years. As per his tenancy agreement, his permanent address is Velikkakath House, Chilavannoor, Kadavantra.
Dominic Martin Houses for Rent in Thammanam
Profession
One source said he had lived in Dubai for 15 or 17 years and worked as a foreman electrician at a construction company there before returning to India in 2023, while his landlord Jaleel BA claimed Dominic Martin His job is as an English speaker. He has worked as a teacher, teaching English classes from a rented office in Anchumuri, and moved to Dubai in 2021 after losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jalil further stated that Dominic returned to India in August 2023 when his daughter was hospitalized due to dengue fever. He reportedly worked many odd jobs in Dubai.
Dominic Martin works as an English speaking teacher
bomb blast in kerala
On the morning of October 29, 2023, an explosion occurred at the Zamla Convention Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kalamassery, Kerala, India, causing many deaths and serious injuries. Police later confirmed the blast was carried out using an improvised explosive device (IED). After the explosion, rumors spread that the explosion was the work of Islamic extremists. A few days before the explosion, many people participated in a virtual program. Khalid Meshaal, an important member of the Islamic political and military organization Hamas, spoke virtually through The media spoke.
Photos after the blast at Jamra Convention Center in Kerala
Motives, Confessions and Surrenders
On October 29, 2023, Dominic Martin admitted during a Facebook Live broadcast that he made an improvised explosive device (bomb) and carried out the explosion alone. He said in the live broadcast that he had been a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the past 16 years; however, he later realized that the covenant’s teachings were anti-national and its practices had led to the spread of hatred between communities. He revealed that the sect urges its members not to endorse any signs of nationalism associated with India, such as not singing the national anthem or song, not performing military service, and telling young children not to share food with classmates and friends.
Dominic Martin during Facebook Live
He also claimed that he repeatedly asked the sect’s leaders to change their teachings, but when he saw the sect would not change its ways, he decided to bomb the synagogue to teach them a lesson. His Facebook Live was later deleted. He then went to Xiaobao Police Station to surrender.
modus operandi
According to reports, Dominic Martin left his home in Thammanam at around 5:30 am and arrived at the conference hall in Kalamassery at around 7:30 am. He carried IEDs (bombs) in two shopping bags and placed them around the central area of the lobby. Between 8.15am and 8.30am, at around 9.30am, he walked to the lobby exit and pressed Remote control, the bomb exploded; he recorded the explosion on his mobile phone and left the scene. He arrived at the Miracle Residency in Xiaobao around 10:45 a.m., rented room 410, conducted a Facebook Live broadcast there, and left the hotel room within 15 minutes.
Dominic Martin stayed at Miracle Residency Hotel and conducted Facebook Live
He went to Kodakara police station and was arrested around 1 pm and was later transferred to Kalamassery crime branch. Interestingly, Dominic’s wife’s relatives were also present during the meeting, and he called his wife several times to ask them to leave the meeting; however, his wife was doing some housework and did not participate in the conference call, after which he decided to continue with his pre-decided plan.
Response and Investigation
When Dominic Martin’s wife Mini saw his Facebook Live, she approached their landlord, Jaleel BA, and informed him of the Facebook Live. Media reporters then went to their home and attempted to speak to her. However, she and her daughter did not come forward to answer their questions. Jalil said of Dominic that he was a peaceful and quiet man who never talked about religion with others.
Jaleel BA, Dominic Martin’s landlord
He also said that Dominic always paid his rent on time, and mentioned that a few months before the explosion in October 2023, Dominic brought a barbecue grill to the house and said that his daughter liked barbecue. Dominic also told Jaleel that he shouldn’t worry if he saw a little smoke coming from the roof. During the investigation, Dominic said he learned the basics of bomb-making on YouTube.
Dominic Martin (in white shirt) is escorted by police to his rented house
He allegedly spent just Rs 3,000 and used 8 liters of petrol to make the bombs, triggering the explosion through mobile phone signals; he allegedly made the bombs in a room of his rented house while his family members slept there in another room, while some other sources claim he built the bomb in Assani’s apartment. National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials after preliminary enquiries, said Dominic was very proficient and intelligent in electronic related matters.
arrest and detention
On October 30, 2023, under Sections 302 (Murder) and 307 (Attempt to Murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 3(A) and Section 16 (1) (1967) of the Explosives Act A) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 2020, and later appeared before the Ernakulam Chief Court on October 31, 2023. Court Judge Honey M Varghese sentenced him to remand until November 29, 2023.
Dominic Martin taken to court for hearing
During the trial, the court offered him a judicial lawyer; however, he refused and stated that he would fight the case himself. He was later shifted to Kakkanad district jail. Police officials said that while Dominic showed no remorse over the elderly man’s death and acted like a sociopath, he did appear upset when they told him about the death of a 12-year-old girl.
net worth
Martin’s net worth for fiscal year 2023-2024 is estimated to be Rs. 7.5 million. It does not include the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- In his free time, he likes to read.
- He shared many posts on his social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to provide relief to the victims of the 2018 Kerala floods.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education