Kochi: Court sentencing in the phase 2 trial of Newman College lecturer's hand-chopping case, will be pronounced today 3 pm. Six accused in the case were found six accused guilty of the terrorism-oriented crime yesterday. The quantum sentencing will be pronounced by NIA Special Court Justice Anil K Bhaskar.
Awaiting their jail sentence are : the second accused Sajil (36) of Thotthickudi house in Muvattupuzha Randarkara, the third accused MK Nassar (48) of Aluva Kunjunnikkara Marakattu house, the fifth accused KA Najeeb (42) of Aluva Katungallur Uliannoor Karimperapadi house, ninth accused MK Naushad (48) of Aluva Kunjunnikkara Mannarkkad house, fifth accused is KA Najeeb (42) of Karimperapadi house, Aluva Kadungallur Uliannoor, ninth accused MK Naushad (48) of Mannarkkad house, Kunjunnikara Aluva Kadungallur, eleventh accused iPP Motheenkunji (60) of Puliath house, Kunjunnikara Aluva West, the twelfth accused PM of Panikaru house, Taikkatukara, Aluva West and Ayub (48 ) .
Of the 13 that stood trial in the second phase six were acquitted namely, the sixth accused Aziz Odaiqali, the seventh accused Muhammad Rafi, the eighth accused Zubair and the tenth accused Mansoor
The Crime
On 4 July, 2010 a gang of eight assailants arrived in a van and accosted the Prof Joseph who came in his car close his house in Muvattupuzha. The mmen, armed with machete and knives, broke the windscreen and pulled Joseph out. They severed his right hand, hacking with the machete and stabbed him on his leg. His sister and mother, the other occupants in the car, tried to stop the assailants. At that point they hurled bombs and fled in the smoke that ensued.
The gang comprised Savad of Asamannoor, Pareeth from North Vazhakkulam, Shobin ( Kothamangalam), Nazar ( Aluva), Shajil of (Muvattupuzha), Shamsuddin (Perumbavoor) Shanavaz and Jammal.
Motive : The crime was in revenge over a question Joseph framed in his question paper for BCom internal exam that contained reference perceived as blasphemy to Prophet Muhammad.
