The police on Friday filed a charge sheet against 27 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in the case relating to the attack on college teacher T.J. Joseph in Muvattupuzha.
It was filed by K.M. Sabu Mathew, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muvattupuzha, in the Ernakulam Sessions Court.
The charge sheet said the accused PFI activists hatched a conspiracy to ‘punish' Mr. Joseph, who had prepared a question paper for the B.Com students of Newman College, Thodupuzha, and which included what they considered an offensive question, regarding Prophet Mohammed and Islam. Armed with deadly weapons and explosive substance, they went in a van with false number plates on July 4, 2010 and lay in wait near the professor's home at Muvattupuzha. When the professor returned in his car along with his sister Stella, a nun and his mother Elikutty after attending church, they stopped his vehicle, dragged him out and chopped off his hand. His mother and sister were also injured in the attack.
The accused have been charged under sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 202 (intentional omission to give information of offence), 212 (harbouring offender), 307 (attempt to murder), 143 (unlawful assembly), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 323 (causing hurt) and 153(A) (promoting enmity among different groups on religious grounds) of the India Penal Code. They have also been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
