KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approached the court with the demand to conduct a DNA test of Sawad, the first accused in the case of chopping the teacher's palm. The NIA will soon submit an application for permission of the test to the court. This move is part of gathering more scientific evidence.

Sawad was on the run for 13 years in the case of chopping off the palm of Prof T J Joseph of Newman College in Thodupuzha. He was hiding with his name changed. He has been remanded in the case till February 16. The NIA said the investigation is not complete and will seek his custody again.

The investigation team found that Sawad was absconding with the help of Popular Front leaders. He was arrested by the NIA last month from Kannur. The NIA will soon submit a new charge sheet to the court after including Sawad. Joseph's palm was chopped off by a group led by Sawad on July 4 in 2010. The attack was alleging blasphemy in the question paper.

The crime branch which investigated the case had found that Sawad had fled to Bengaluru from Aluva on the same day of chopping the teacher’s palm. However, despite searching in many places, he could not be found. The NIA took over the case which was being investigated by the Kerala Police in March 2011.