The National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended the key and final absconding accused in the professor palm-chopping case in Kerala on Wednesday, marking the successful conclusion of its investigation into the heinous incident. Savad, who had eluded authorities for the past 13 years and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest, was captured in Mattannur, Kannur (Kerala) after sustained efforts.
Savad was identified by the NIA as the primary accused in the infamous 2010 case involving the attempted murder of Professor TJ Joseph through the severing of his palm. The anti-terror agency stated, “Savad was charge-sheeted on January 10, 2011, in the case, one of the earliest such incidents in India reflecting the ideology of violent extremism being pursued by the Popular Front of India (PFI).”
A total of 19 accused have been convicted for various offenses under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in this case. Among them, three received life sentences, and 10 others were sentenced to eight years of Rigorous Imprisonment along with fines.
According to the NIA, all the accused were either leaders, activists, or members of the now-banned PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). They actively participated in the criminal conspiracy related to the lethal attack on Professor T. J. Joseph at Muvattupuzha.
The assailants had mutilated the professor’s palm, alleging blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed in a Malayalam question paper for B.Com. students at Newman College, Thodupuzha, Idukki district. The brutal daylight attack took place on July 4, 2010, in the presence of the professor’s family as they returned from church after the Sunday morning mass. The attackers, affiliated with the PFI, also detonated a bomb to instill fear before fleeing the scene.
This incident exposed the PFI’s violent intentions, aiming to terrorize society by targeting critics of Islam and individuals of other religions. Their objective was to enforce decisions reminiscent of their pseudo-Taliban-styled court, ‘Dar-ul-Khada.’
The case, initially registered on July 4, 2010, at Muvattupuzha Police Station in Ernakulam district, was later taken over by the NIA, which conducted an extensive probe into the matter. The NIA has consistently intensified its actions against the PFI across India, revealing conspiracies to overthrow India’s democratically elected government and establish an Islamic State in the country by 2047.
