Prof Joseph’s hand chopping case: NIA court drops UAPA charges against accused
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Ernakulam: The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Ernakulam has dropped the charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against several individuals accused in the high-profile case of the hand-chopping incident involving Prof. T.J. Joseph of Thodupuzha Newman College.
The court ruling, delivered by Judge Anil K. Bhaskar, stated that the UAPA charges would not be sustained against the accused while clarifying that sections 202 and 212 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) would remain applicable.
Among those exempted from the UAPA charges are the ninth accused, M.K. Naushad (48), and the 11th accused, Kunjunnikara Puliat house PP. Moiteenkunju (60), and the 12th accused, Aluva Thaikkattukara Panikaruveetil P.M. Ayyub (48).
The court's decision marks a significant turn in the case, which garnered widespread attention due to the questions prepared by Prof. T.J. Joseph as part of an internal Malayalam language examination that allegedly contained elements of hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community, resulting in the attack by the accused.
Simultaneously, the court found six of the accused individuals guilty in connection with the hand-chopping incident. Their identities were revealed as follows: the second accused, Sajil (36) from Thotthickudi, Randarkara, Muvattupuzha; the third accused, M.K., from Aluva Kunjunnikara, Marangat; Nasar (48) as the fifth accused from Aluva Ulyannoor Karimperapadi house; KA. Najeeb (42) is the ninth accused from Kunjunnikara Mannarkad House; and the 11th accused, from Kunjunnikara Puliat House PP. Moiteenkunju (60). The 12th accused, Aluva Thaikkattukara Panikaruveetil P.M. Ayyub (48), was also found guilty.
Conversely, five individuals involved in the case were acquitted by the court due to insufficient evidence or lack of involvement. Their identities were not provided in the report.
The court is scheduled to announce the sentence on the convicted individuals on Thursday at 3 pm.