Kerala professor attack case: Another accused held

The Special Investigation Team probing the attack on Newman College teacher Professor T J Joseph has nabbed accused K K Ali of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district, who was reportedly involved in the assault.

Joseph's hand was chopped off for allegedly preparing an inflammatory question paper.

Ali was arrested in the wee hours of Monday from Pollachi in Tamil Nadu, said the police.

Ali was allegedly involved in the conspiracy of the attack. He also reportedly purchased an Omni van from one Lawrance of Thrissur, two weeks prior to the attack, for the culprits to escape after the assault on the teacher.

But the Omni van was seized by Perumbavoor Deputy Superintendent of Police Tomy Sebastian on July 4, while the accused were trying to escape from Muvattupuzha.

The SIT had issued a look-out notice against Ali as he was absconding since the assault. The Moovattupuzha Judicial First Class Magistrate had on July 29 declared Ali as a proclaimed offender.

Meanwhile, the effort to attach Ali's properties could not be done as the revenue officials failed to trace any property belonging to him.

Ali will be produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate court on Monday evening, Superintendent of Police P N Unnirajan said.