One more arrested in hand chopping case

Thamar Ashraff, who has been underground since Prof. T.J. Joseph’s hand chopping incident on July 4, 2010 is arrested by NIA in Muvvattupuzha, Kerala.

Prof. Joseph was a teacher in New Man College,Thodupuzha, Kerala. NIA accuses that Popular Front of India (alleged to be an extremist Islamic outfit) was behind the heinous incident.

Special court has ordered to hand over the accused to NIA for four days for interrogation. Afterwards he will be remanded in sub jail until 3rd March.  Thamar was living in Gulf after the attack on Prof. Joseph.

The accused allege that Prof. Joseph caused the religious blasphemy by hurting the Islamic religious sentiments through some distorted questions in the question paper which had references to Prophet Mohammed for degree class.

Number of accused is 54. Thirty of them including the main conspirator M.K.Nasser are yet to be arrested. Tamar Ashraf is alleged to have given financial assistance to the other accused.

Joseph was attacked on his way to the church on that fateful day. The assailants chased his car and attacked him. NIA took over the case after the police issued charge sheet to all the 54 accused. NIA has sought Interpol’s assistance through Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. NIA believes that Nasser had accorded financial assistance to the accused.