KANNUR: The first accused, Savad, escaped with the axe he used to hack Professor TJ Joseph's hand on July 4, 2010. Co-accused Saji was the last person to see Savad after this.

Although there was evidence that Savad had reached Aluva with the injuries sustained during the attack, the rest of the group also did not know where he went from there. It was the understanding of the investigation team that he went into hiding with the accused Nasser. No information about Savad was received when Nasser was interrogated. The investigation team later concluded that he had entered Qatar from Bangalore via Nepal. It was rumoured that he crossed into Syria, but no evidence was found for that either.

Recently, one of the suspects arrested by customs in the Diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case had given a statement that he had seen Savad in Dubai. In March last year, the National Investigation Agency had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for those who could help find Savad. Savad was never in contact with the co-accused during his life in hiding.

With his wife and children; No one suspected

Savad lived in a rented house near Mattannur. It is reported that he was hiding in different areas in Kannur and Kasaragod for 13 years. Neighbours said that they have been living here for one and a half years and added that he was living with his wife and children and that they did not feel anything suspicious.

He used to come and go from his residence to work by autorickshaw. The neighbour said he had no contact with the neighbourhood. He was doing carpentry work at a place called Kurumuk for eight months. The current Savad is very different from the old picture that was released. He had told the locals that he was from Kasaragod. Savad lived in many places in Kannur including Valapatnam and used to do wage work in his previous location. He learned carpentry after coming to Mattanur. The second child was born after coming to Mattanur. He has a girl and a boy.

Received local assistance

It was an NDF worker who arranged a carpentry job for Savad in Mattannur. Locals said that these people were working with Savad. The NIA has received information that he had received local assistance from people to help him go to work every day and to organize his house.