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Kannur, Kerala: In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended the main accused, Savad, in the notorious 2010 case involving the attempted murder of Professor TJ Joseph by chopping off his palm. Savad, who had eluded authorities for the past 13 years, was arrested in Mattannur, Kerala.
The incident dates back to 2010 when Professor TJ Joseph faced a brutal attack resulting in the severing of his palm. The motive behind the attack was reportedly Professor Joseph’s alleged ridicule of Prophet Mohammed in a question paper for an internal examination. The case gained prominence as one of the earliest instances in India reflecting the ideology of violent extremism associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI).
The NIA, after years of relentless pursuit, successfully tracked down Savad, the prime accused in the case, who was charge-sheeted on January 10, 2011. Savad, associated with the now banned PFI, had a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
A spokesperson for the NIA stated, “Savad was identified as the main accused in the infamous 2010 case of attempted murder of Professor TJ Joseph by chopping off his palm.” The spokesperson further revealed that all the accused in the case were either leaders or activists/cadres of the banned PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), actively participating in the criminal conspiracy leading to the heinous attack on Professor TJ Joseph in Muvattupuzha.
In the aftermath of the incident, 19 individuals connected to the case have been convicted for various offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UA(P) Act. Among them, three received life sentences, while 10 others were sentenced to eight years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and fines.
The arrest of Savad marks a crucial development, bringing the NIA’s prolonged investigations into the Professor palm chopping case to a conclusion. The legal proceedings have shed light on the extremist ideologies associated with certain banned organizations, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against radical elements.
