Kochi4 minutes ago
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Victim Professor TJ Joseph (File Photo)
Kerala’s NIA court has sentenced 3 people to life imprisonment in the case of chopping off the professor’s hand. Six people were convicted in the case on Wednesday. Special NIA Court Justice Anil K Bhaskar sentenced Sajil, Nasar and Najeeb after holding them guilty under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), IPC and Explosive Substances Act.
The court had acquitted five of the 11 accused in the case of attack on Professor Joseph. This case is of the year 2010. The accused are members of banned organization PFI. Professor TJ Joseph, the victim of the attack, said that he had no ill-will towards the attackers. Because they were only used as weapons.
The court said that Sajil had participated in the attack. Nassar was the main conspirator and Najeeb planned the terror attack but did not participate in it.
let’s figure it out first
Professor Joseph of Newman College, Thodupuzha, Idukki district, was returning home with his family after attending a Sunday prayer meeting at a church in Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district, on July 4, 2010. His car was stopped by seven PFI members on the way. And pulled the professor out of the vehicle. The seven assaulted him and then prime accused Sawad chopped off his right hand. Savad is still absconding.
According to the police, the question paper was set by Professor Joseph for the B com semester examination at Newman College. The accused believed that the question paper allegedly contained comments against a particular religion. For this reason the attackers wanted to kill Joseph.
Joseph lost his job two months after the attack. His wife committed suicide in 2014. A few days after his wife’s death, Joseph was hired again by the college. He retired after a few days on March 31, 2014. The doctors had also done surgery and added the paw of his hand.
13 convicted
Initially, 54 people were named as accused by the Kerala Police. But in April 2011 NIA (National Investigation Agency) started the investigation. He had made 37 people accused in the charge sheet. Of these, 31 were prosecuted. Six including the main accused Sawad are absconding. In 2015, a special NIA court convicted 13 people under stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to Explosive Substances Act and IPC sections.
Joseph said – I also sympathize with the attackers
Joseph said after the verdict that he believed his life was not destroyed by what happened 13 years ago. Yes there have been some changes in life and they have suffered. He also expressed sympathy for his attackers. Joseph said the decision did not affect him. Because I believe that punishing a guilty does not mean justice to the victim. I don’t care whether he is convicted or acquitted.
He further said that those who were caught and convicted in the case are only arms. The real culprits who planned the attack are still out there. Joseph said, my fight against them continues.
The professor said that like him, the accused in the case were also victims. They attacked me and now they are facing the consequences of the same.
i have no fear
When asked whether he is scared for his life. Because the main accused Sawad who chopped off his hand is still absconding. Joseph said I am not scared. I have lived my life on my own terms and will continue to do so. If an accused is not caught, it is only the failure of the system.