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NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
A Kochi special court is moving to frame charges against two accused in the 2010 hand-chopping of Professor T J Joseph. The judge ruled to proceed with framing charges on April 30, 2026, with pleas to be recorded on May 15, 2026. The article also notes background on the incident and subsequent NIA involvement leading to multiple convictions.
Why It Matters
This marks a procedural milestone in a high-profile case involving communal tensions and NIA prosecution, setting the stage for a trial.
Timeline
4 Events
May 2, 2026: Reporting framing of charges set for May 15
May 2, 2026
An article reports that the court will complete framing of charges against the accused on May 15, with Savad to be produced and Shafeer C, who is on bail, to appear for recording their pleas.
April 30, 2026: Hearing and framing-charge decision
April 30, 2026
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas heard arguments for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
January 2024: Savad arrested in Kannur
January 2024
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph's palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
July 2010: Hand-chopping incident on TJ Joseph
July 2010
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor TJ Joseph's right hand in July 2010, amid accusations of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.