Kannur: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Safeer C. (33), a resident of Vilakkode near Iritti in Kannur district, for his involvement in harbouring the prime accused in the notorious hand-chopping case of Prof. T.J. Joseph. Safeer was apprehended on Thursday, August 22, from the Thalassery court premises and has been taken to Kochi for further interrogation.
Safeer is alleged to be an active member of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and is also reportedly involved in the murder of ABVP worker Shyama Prasad. After the arrest of Savad, the prime accused in Prof. Joseph’s case, Safeer had been absconding. A warrant was issued against him after he repeatedly failed to appear for court proceedings related to the murder case. Acting on intelligence that Safeer would be present at the Thalassery court, the NIA deployed a team to apprehend him as soon as he arrived.
Prof. T.J. Joseph’s hand was brutally chopped off on July 4, 2010, in a Taliban-style attack as he was returning from Sunday mass with his family in Muvattupuzha. The attack, orchestrated by PFI members, was in retaliation for a question paper set by Prof. Joseph that allegedly insulted religious sentiments. Despite being acquitted in November 2013, Prof. Joseph faced severe hardships, including losing his job and the subsequent suicide of his wife, Salomi, in March 2014 due to financial difficulties and depression. Although he was reinstated in his job shortly before his retirement, the trauma left lasting scars.
Savad, the mastermind behind the attack, was finally arrested in January 2024 after evading authorities for 13 years. His arrest was the result of coordinated efforts by various agencies. Savad had been living under different identities in Valappattanam, Iritty, and Mattannur, where he worked as a carpenter. The NIA had placed a bounty of ₹10 lakh on his head due to the severity of his crimes, which included charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Safeer played a crucial role in Savad’s ability to remain on the run by providing him shelter at various locations in Kannur and helping him obtain fake identity cards. According to reports, Safeer is implicated in five cases, including the murder case of Shyama Prasad and other activities linked to the PFI in Kannur and neighboring districts.
The NIA has also reportedly gathered information on other PFI members who assisted Savad during his years of hiding. Fearing NIA action, these individuals have since gone underground. Safeer’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the NIA’s efforts to combat Islamic terrorism, extremism, and anti-national activities in the country.
Safeer was produced before the NIA court in Kochi on Friday, August 23, where the agency sought his custody for five days. The court will consider the NIA’s application on August 29. Meanwhile, Safeer has been remanded to judicial custody until September 20. The NIA has also filed a report implicating Safeer in the hand-chopping case, further solidifying his involvement in this heinous crime.
