The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police probing the assault on T.J. Joseph, Professor of Malayalam, Newman College, Thodupuzha, arrested four more persons on Thursday.
Shiyaz and Mohammed Ali from Muvattupuzha were arrested on charges of conspiracy and providing financial support to those directly involved in the crime. Shiyaz and Ali are understood to be heading divisional units of the Popular Front of India (PFI).
On interrogation, the two are learnt to have confessed that the State leadership of the PFI and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were also involved in providing money to those who went into hiding after the assault.
Latheef from Aluva and Moideenkutty from Malappuram were arrested on charges of hiding the accused and helping them to escape. All four were later remanded by the Muvattupuzha Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.
The SIT made a breakthrough in the investigation on Wednesday by arresting Younus, believed to be one of the main accused in the case registered for chopping off the right palm of Professor Joseph on July 4.
Intelligence Bureau officials also interrogated those in custody. It is learnt that Younus may be taken to places related to the crime to collect evidence.
