Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will approach the High Court against the verdict of a Special NIA Court that acquitted five of the accused in the attack against Professor TJ Joseph for blasphemy. The investigation agency will also appeal to raise the prison sentence from three years meted out to three other accused in the case.
The court had acquitted five accused Shafeek, Azeez Odakali, Muhammad Rafi, TP Subair, and Manzoor in the case. The court said that their role in the attack was not proven. However, NIA argues that these five persons had an equal role in the attack against the Professor and that they must be given maximum punishment.
In addition to this, the NIA will also appeal to increase the punishment given to the 9th, 11th, and 12th accused Noushad, Moitheen Kunju, and Ayoob. These PFI activists were given only a three year jail term.
The appeal of NIA against the acquittal of some accused in the first phase of the trial is also under the consideration of the High Court.
The NIA Special Court had, yesterday, sentenced prime accused Sajil, Nasar, and Najeeb to life imprisonment. The investigation agency was able to prove the UAPA charges against these accused.
The counsels, who appeared for the NIA were Sindhu Ravishankar, Arjun Thampalapattu, and Srinath. The court observed that the culprits tried for a religious based system.
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