13 years of manhunt, Sawad still at large

KOCHI: Sawad, of Mundassery House in Ashamannur in Perumbavoor. The man is 37 years old. Only an old photo is there for his identification. NIA, one of the best investigative agencies of the country, is after this addressee for the last 13 years. The NIA has not even been able to trace the whereabouts of Sawad, the main accused in the shocking palm chopping case.

According to the investigating agencies, Sawad, an activist of the Popular Front, was directly involved in the planning and execution of the hand chopping case. Sawad has been absconding since the crime. He was also injured with a knife that day. All the accused went absconding after the attack. As the investigation intensified, it was learned that he had gone abroad. A reward of Rs 4 lakh was initially announced for anyone who could help find Sawad. On March 12, the NIA raised it to 10 lakhs, but no information was sought.

One of the suspects arrested by customs in the diplomatic gold smuggling case testified that he had met Sawad in Dubai, but to no avail. Three, including Randarkkara Sajilm who absconded with Sawad, were later apprehended but the main accused could not be reached. The NIA received hints that Sawad, who was declared a fugitive, was in Dubai and in Africa in connection with gold smuggling, but could not trace him. The NIA still says the search for Sawad is on.