Cops summon top PFI leaders in chopping case
By IANSFriday, August 6, 2010
MUVATTUPUZHA - Kerala Police have summoned two top leaders of the radical Muslim group Popular Front of India in connection with the case of a college professor’s hand being chopped off for allegedly preparing a question paper derogatory to Prophet Mohammed.
P. Abdul Hameed and Ashraf Moulavi have been asked to appear before the police Monday. Fifteen activists of PFI have been arrested for the July 4 attack on T.J. Joseph., a Malayalam teacher at the New Man College Thodupuzha. He is on bail for preparing the alleged inflammatory question paper.
Muvattupuzha Circle Inspector P.P. Shams said the notice had been sent by him.
“I sent it yesterday. P. Abdul Hameed and Ashraf Moulavi have been asked to appear before us Monday as part of the investigation in the chopping of the right palm of Joseph,” Shams told IANS.
“So far, 15 people have been arrested for their involvement in the crime. As investigations are on, some more could be arrested.”
In a related development, a court in Muvattupuzha Friday ordered the confiscation of all assets belonging to a man called Nassar, believed to be the mastermind in the attack on Joseph.
Nassar has been on the run ever since the incident.
The PFI has come under the police scanner since the incident, with its offices being raided and police seizing incriminating documents.
Joseph was attacked by unidentified people while returning from church with his sister and aged mother. His right palm has since been sewn back though doctors say only time will tell if he regains full use of his hand.
