Kerala professor’s palm chopping case: NIA court remands main accused Savad to judicial custody till February 16

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in the area has extended the judicial custody of Savad, the primary suspect in the case involving the palm-chopping of Professor T J Joseph, until February 16. The NIA is set to file a custody application for 10 days next week, and Savad will be transferred from Ernakulam Sub Jail to Kakkanad District Jail due to security concerns.

According to the prison transfer request, the Sub Jail is deemed inadequate for ensuring the safety of the accused. Savad was temporarily held in Ernakulam Sub Jail for the test identification process.

On January 10, the NIA successfully apprehended Savad, who was the key and last absconding accused in the notorious palm-chopping case involving a Kerala professor. He had been on the run for 13 years and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest. The arrest was made in Mattannur, Kannur (Kerala), after sustained efforts by the NIA.

Savad is identified as the main perpetrator in the 2010 case where an attempt was made to murder Professor TJ Joseph by severing his palm. The NIA disclosed that Savad was charged on January 10, 2011, in a case that reflected the violent extremism ideology pursued by the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The NIA noted that a total of 19 individuals have been convicted for various offenses under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the case. Three of them received life sentences, while 10 others were sentenced to eight years of Rigorous Imprisonment and fined.

According to the NIA, all the accused in the case were either leaders, activists, or members of the now-banned PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). They were actively involved in a criminal conspiracy related to the brutal attack on Professor T J Joseph in Muvattupuzha. The professor’s palm was severed as a response to allegations of ridiculing Prophet Mohammed in a Malayalam question paper for an internal examination at Newman College, Thodupuzha, Idukki district.