The police on Friday filed a charge-sheet against 27 accused in the brutal attack on Professor T J Joseph, a private college lecturer in Kerala, whose right hand had been chopped off allegedly by activists of the radical outfit Popular Front of India on July 4 last year.
The charge-sheet was filed before the First Additional Sessions court in Ernakulam. There are total 54 accused in the case and the remaining 27 accused are all absconding.
Cases have been registered against the accused for offences against the nation, and under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including 120, 143, 148 (riot, unlawful assembly, 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) 323 (hurt) and 307 (attempt to murder), Section 3 of Explosive Substance Act and various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The court had earlier ordered a non-bailable warrant against the 27 accused who are yet to be arrested. Professor Joseph, Malayalam head of the department of the private Newman College in Thodupuzha, was attacked on July 4. At the time of the attack, he was returning along with his family members after attending a Sunday mass at a church near his home in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.
His hand had been cut off at the wrist on allegations of blasphemy by radicals belonging to PFI for preparing a question paper for B.Com semester students which reportedly had some references to Prophet Mohammed.
Professor Joseph's hand was sutured back and he is recovering from the injuries. The college authorities have terminated his services. The case has been posted to January 18.
