NIA Expands Probe into Hand-Chopping Case, Focus on Popular Front’s Role in Aiding Accused

Ernakulam: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has decided to conduct further investigation into the Professor T.J. Joseph hand-chopping case in Muvattupuzha, based on the statement of the main accused, Sawad. This significant move by the NIA comes after Sawad confessed that the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI) helped him remain in hiding for 14 years.

Professor T.J. Joseph was attacked in 2010 following a controversy related to a question paper. Sawad, who had been in hiding for 14 years after this attack, was apprehended by the NIA in 2024. Sawad has given a statement to the NIA that he received assistance to remain in hiding in Panthirumala near Dindigul in Tamil Nadu and in Kannur. In light of these revelations, the NIA informed the court that a detailed investigation into the Popular Front’s assistance is necessary.

However, the defense lawyer strongly argued in court that this is an attempt by the National Investigation Agency to deliberately delay Sawad’s trial.

Meanwhile, the court had previously convicted 19 accused in this case. The NIA stated that it needs to investigate whether those who helped Sawad hide were also involved in the conspiracy of the hand-chopping case.