13 guilty of chopping Kerala professor's hand

Kochi: The NIA Special Court, Ernakulam, on Thursday found 13 men guilty in the sensational case of  chopping Prof T.J. Joseph’s palm in protest against his preparing a controversial question paper in 2010.

Holding that there was no evidence to show that the accused had recruited Popular Front of India activists to commit the attack, the court acquitted 18 persons for want of evidence.

The court observed that the NIA beyond all reasonable doubts had proved that eight of the accused along with some others, out of enmity towards  Joseph, the then Malayalam professor of Newman’s College, Thodupuzha,  had entered into a criminal conspiracy to eliminate him  by inflicting grievous injuries on him.  Prof. Joseph had prepared a question paper which hurt religious sentiments.

NIA Special Court judge P. Sasidharan found Jamal of Kalady (second accused), Mohammed Shobin of Kothamangalam (third), Shamsuddin of Perumbavoor (fifth), Pareeth K. A. of Aluva (seventh) , Younus Aliyar (eighth), Jafar (ninth), K.K. Ali of Kothamangalam (12th) , Shajeer (27th) and Kasim of Aluva (29th) guilty under section 15, 16, 18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (whoever conspires or attempts to commit, or advocates, abets, advises or incites or knowingly facilitates the commission of a terrorist act). 

While three others Abdul Latheef (25th), Anwar Sadique (34th), both of Aluva, and Riyaz of Maradu were found guilty under section 212 of IPC (harbouring offenders). The court also slapped

120 B (criminal conspiracy) and various other sections of IPC and sections under Explosive Substances Act against the accused.  

The court posted the case to May 5 for arguments on the sentence. The verdict is expected next week.

According to the NIA, the accused conspired together and a six- member team led by Savad carried out the attack on  Joseph and chopped off his right palm while he was  returning home after attending a Sunday Mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on July 4, 2010. The trial of the case began in July 2013.

There were 37 persons in the chargesheet filed by the NIA. Of these, 31 underwent an in-camera trial. Six accused, including first accused Savad M.K. Naser, the mastermind in the case, are still absconding.