COCHIN: Today, the second phase verdict is expected to be given in the case of Prof. T.J Joseph, whose hand was cut off by terrorists belonging to the Popular Front. The assault took place on July 4, 2010, in Thodupuzha, following allegations that the professor had blasphemed the Prophet in an internal examination question paper for the B Com Second Semester examination at Newman College.
After the completion of the trial of 11 individuals, including Popular Front terrorist leader MK Nassar, the verdict will be announced today by Kochi NIA Special Court Judge Anil Bhaskar. It should be noted that the first accused, Savad, has not been arrested.
During the first phase, the court heard 37 accused individuals and found 11 of them guilty, subsequently sentencing them. Following the first phase of the charge sheet, the trial of the arrested individuals was completed in the second phase.
A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued for the absconding first accused, Savad, and the NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone providing information leading to his arrest. The second phase trial began on July 12, 2021.
The NIA has apprehended several accused individuals who had fled abroad after severing the professor’s hand. The NIA has also registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Prof. TJ Joseph, the former Head of the Malayalam Department at Newman College in Thodupuzha, was assaulted for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. On July 4, 2010, as the professor and his family were on their way to church on a Sunday, members of the Popular Front severed his right hand and stabbed him in the left leg in front of his family.
This incident sparked extensive discussions regarding Muslim terrorism in Kerala.
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