Arm-chopping Case: 13 held guilty in Kerala

KOCHI: A special court here on Thursday ruled 13 people guilty in a 2010 attack on a professor and chopping of his right hand for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by making an irreverent reference to Prophet Mohammed in a question paper he had prepared.

The court acquitted 18 accused. Among 37 people charge-sheeted, five are still to be arrested, while one was recently held. The court will pronounce the sentence on May 5. The right hand of TJ Joseph, who taught Malayalam at Thodupuza’s Newman College, was chopped off on July 4, 2010 when he was returning from church. His hand was later stitched back by doctors.

Joseph said he has already forgiven the people who had attacked him and that the court verdict would not affect him anyway. The court upheld charging 10 of the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

They were also found guilty of criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder and under different sections of the Explosive Substances Act. Three others were found guilty of harbouring offenders. The NIA court began the trial in July 2013.