KANNUR: The NIA has confirmed that Savad, the first accused who had been in hiding for 13 years, was the one who chopped the hand of Professor TJ Joseph after accusing him of blasphemy in the question paper. Savad, a native of Perumbavoor Asamannoor, was remanded till January 24 by the NIA court in Kochi and sent to Ernakulam sub-jail. In the remand report, the NIA stated that Samad had been living under the name of Shahjahan with the help of Popular Front leaders and workers.

The NIA arrested Savad from a rented house in Beram in Mattannur following a tip-off. The NIA team arrested him after surrounding his house at around 3 am yesterday. He had been living alternately in Kannur and Kasargod for 13 years. Savad got married to a woman from Kasargod while he was remaining in hiding. His father-in-law is an SDPI activist in Kasargod.

Savad came to Beram a year and a half ago. He lived with his wife and two children. He used to go for carpentry work. He had lived in many places in Kannur and Kasaragod. The NIA took over the case in March 2011.

Savad monitored Prof Joseph's house
1. Savad played a vital role in the criminal conspiracy and attack against Prof Joseph. The remand report says that the attack was on the instructions of MK Nasar, the chief planner. Savad had monitored Prof Joseph's house and surroundings before the day of the incident.

2. A mobile phone with a SIM card was recovered from Savad during the arrest. The NIA team also recovered a mobile phone and some documents from the house. The officials have to interrogate him in detail to get more information about the conspiracy. Those who helped him to stay in hiding and the transactions Savad made should be found. An identification parade should be conducted. The NIA will submit an application the next day seeking the custody of Savad.

Announced reward of Rs 10 lakh for those helping to find Savad

1. The investigating agencies only had an unclear photograph of Savad wearing a green cap of the Popular Front and his house address. Savad was a local leader of the Popular Front and a sports coach.

2. After announcing a reward of ten lakh rupees to those helping to find Savad, a lookout notice was issued again on December 15. It is indicated that the secret information received by the NIA a week ago led to the arrest.

3. The NIA team reached the spot and conducted secret surveillance. Soon, they confirmed that it was Savad. The local police were not informed. Only the Kannur City Police Commissioner was informed before the arrest.