NIA arrests one more in hand chopping case

Ashraf is alleged to have provided funds to the other accused for carrying out the attack.

Police had last year filed chargesheet against 27 activists of the radical outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) accusing them of attempt to murder and other offences in the brutal attack on the lecturer,Prof T J Joseph of Muvattupuzha,whose right hand had been chopped off while he was returning along with his family after a Sunday mass on July 4,2010.

The barbaric act,which created a national outrage,was to “punish” the lecturer for allegedly preparing a question paper which had references to Prophet Mohammed.

There are a total of 54 accused in the case and 27 of them,against whom non-bailable warrants have been issued,are absconding.

The accused are facing charges under various IPC Sections ranging from 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war),124-A (sedition),307 (attempt to murder) to 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon) and 153 (A) (promoting

enmity between different groups on grounds of religion).