Kochi, Monday, July 05, 2010: The two accused who were nabbed yesterday in connection with the savage attack on T.J Jospeh, a Malayalam lecturer of Newman college, were produced before the Moovattupuzha First class Judicial Magiustrate Court today. The two accused, Jafar and Ashraf were remanded to police custody for 14 days by the Court.

The police said that the accused had tried to murder the college professor, they were also were charged with conspiracy.

Earlier report: -

The Maruti Omni van used by the 8-member gang which attacked Prof T.J Joseph was seized by the police from Kothamangalam. The forensic team collected evidence from the vehicle which was used for the attack. The police have got information that a person identified as K.K Ali had bought the vehicle for an amount of 1 lakh rupees. Police informed that Ali is a popular front activist.

Jafar and Asharf were nabbed by the police yesterday, in connection with this incident. All of them have been identified as Popular front activists. IG B. Sandhya told that all the offenders behind this brutal attack would be arrested as soon as possible.

Professor T.J Joseph was admitted in the Ernakulam specialist hospital due the severe hand injury; his hands were chopped off using a sharp weapon by the attackers. A team of surgeons has stitched back the severed palm through 15-hour long surgery. T.J Joseph has been admitted to the intensive care unit.

Prof T.J Joseph, a Malayalam college tutor from Moovattupuzha, who landed in controversy over preparing a question paper with allegedly blasphemous references to Prophet Mohammed, today literally faced the axe.

Prof Joseph was attacked by an eight-member gang armed with swords and other sharp weapons. Joseph’s hands were chopped off by the attackers. He also received other multiple injuries. His aged mother and sister who tried to prevent the attack were also manhandled.

Joseph was returning after the Sunday Mass in the local church.