The Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases will finish the steps for listing charges against Savad and Shafeer in the 2010 attack on Professor T J Joseph in Kerala. The case is about allegations that members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) targeted the professor because of something he was accused of saying against their religion.
Court sets May 15 for charge framing
On April 30th, Judge P K Mohandas listened to arguments from Savad and Shafeer C’s lawyers, and from the lawyer working for the NIA. The Judge decided to go ahead with the process of listing the charges against both of them.
The court has ordered that Savad be brought to court and that Shafeer, who is currently out of jail on bail, show up on May 5th. They will be asked how they plead to the charges, which is part of listing them.
Background of the 2010 attack
In July 2010, a group of people cut off the right hand of T J Joseph, a professor at Newman College in Thodupuzha, in Muvattupuzha. He had been accused of insulting religion in a test paper he wrote.
The National Investigation Agency took over the investigation later. This resulted in nineteen people being found guilty in the case.
Who are the two accused before the court
Savad, the first accused, is said to have actually cut off Professor Joseph’s hand. He was arrested in January 2024 in Berram, Mattannur, Kannur. He had supposedly been hiding there using the name Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer. He is accused of finding a place for Savad to stay and giving him help with things like transport and supplies at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur from 2020 onwards.
Key developments at a glance
Here are the main points the court is acting on:
– Court will complete charge framing on May 15
– Judge heard both sides on April 30
– 2010 attack targeted Professor Joseph’s right hand
– NIA earlier secured convictions of 19 accused
– Savad arrested in January 2024 in Kannur
– Shafeer allegedly provided shelter since 2020
What the court said on charges
After looking at all the paperwork and evidence and listening to the lawyers and the NIA prosecutor, the court said there’s good reason to believe crimes have been committed. The court says Savad is facing charges under the Indian Penal Code, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The court also said Shafeer is facing charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. After looking at everything, the court believes there is enough evidence to list charges against both of them.
What happens next in the case
The court wants Savad brought to court and Shafeer to appear on May 5th to state their pleas. Doing this will finish the process of listing charges.
Once the charges are officially listed, the court will set a date for the full trial. This is the next step in a case that has been getting a lot of attention from the public and the courts ever since 2010.
