Kochi : The NIA court on Wednesday found 6 out of 11 guilty in the hand-chopping case of Prof TJ Joseph, lecturer at Newman College in Thodupuzha. Found guilty of the crime are second accused Sajil, the third accused Nasar, the fifth accused Najeeb, the fifth accused Naushad, the 11th accused Moiteen Kunj and the 12th accused Ayub. Acquitted of charges are : Accused 4, 6, 7 and 8 Shafiq, Aziz, Zubair and Muhammad Rafi were set free of charges.
The NIA court affirmed there the crime was terrorism oriented. The guilty have been punished under sections that include terrorism, conspiracy, possession of weapons, assault using weapon and attempted murder.
The guilty verdict on UAPA-laden case was pronounced by NIA Court judge Anil K Bhaskar. The first phase of trial was completed on April 30, 2015. 13 out of 31 accused were convicted at the time. 18 were acquitted 11 accused were captured only later. The verdict today pertains to their trial. The first accused, Savad - a Perumbavoor native, is still absconding. The NIA has a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone providing information on his whereabouts.
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 for his question paper for BCom internal exam, a reference that is perceived as insult to Prophet Muhammad.
