The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved a significant breakthrough by apprehending the primary accused in the case involving the severing of Kerala professor TJ Joseph’s right palm, a shocking incident that unfolded 13 years ago. Savad, affiliated with the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI), was finally apprehended today by the NIA, marking a major development in the long-pending investigation.
The harrowing incident took place in 2010 when Savad, identified as an activist of the banned PFI, viciously attacked Professor TJ Joseph for purportedly making controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammed in a question paper set for the internal examination of B Com students at Newman College in Kerala’s Thodupuzha, Idukki district.
The attack occurred as Professor Joseph, alongside his family, was returning from a church service on a Sunday morning. The assailants targeted him, accusing him of blasphemy due to the allegedly sacrilegious reference in the exam question. The assailants not only mutilated his hand but also detonated a bomb before fleeing the scene.
Savad, carrying a bounty of ₹10 lakh on his arrest, was apprehended in Mattannur, located in Kannur district, Northern Kerala. The incident had sparked widespread condemnation and led to a police case initially registered in Ernakulam District, subsequently taken over by the NIA.
Following the attack, 19 individuals associated with the Popular Front of India or Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were convicted in the case. The investigation highlighted the extremist ideologies perpetuated by these organizations, leading to severe penalties for those involved.
Professor Joseph, who underwent surgeries and a hand transplantation post the brutal assault, recounted how threats surfaced following the exam paper’s controversy. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a court, he faced suspension and eventual dismissal from the college. The ensuing turmoil in his life tragically led to his wife’s suicide in 2014.
The collective outrage over the incident and the subsequent legal battles eventually resulted in Professor Joseph’s reinstatement on the day of his retirement, underscoring the tumultuous journey marred by violence, personal tragedy, and legal battles that spanned over a decade.
Sources By Agencies
