First accused Savad in Prof T J Joseph palm chopping case, in NIA custody after 13 years

KOCHI: The first accused in the case of chopping the palm of Prof T J Joseph of Thodupuzha Newman College, accused of derogatory religious remarks in a question paper he set for BCom exam, has been taken into custody. The first accused and fugitive of Asamannoor Nooleli Mudasseri Savad (38) was taken into custody from Kannur by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The reports that came in said that he was taken into custody from Mattannoor in Kannur. Savad, an activist of the popular front, was absconding for 13 years.

The crime branch which investigated the case initially had found that Savad had fled to Bengaluru from Aluva on the day the professor’s hand was chopped off. But despite searching in many places, he could not be found. The NIA took over the case in March 2011 which was being investigated by the Kerala Police. With this, a reward of Rs 10 lakh was announced for those who help to find Savad. In the meanwhile, the NIA got information that Savad was seen abroad. Following this, the investigation was intensified. It was also heard that Savad had fled to Syria. NIA finding Savad is a credit to them.

The professor’s hand was chopped off on July 6 in 2010. The court sentenced the accused on July 13 last year. Of the six accused found guilty, the main accused Sajil, MK Naser and Najeeb were sentenced to life imprisonment and the 9th, 11th and 12th accused Naushad, Moideen Kunhi and Ayub were sentenced to three years each.