In Kerala, the NIA Special Court in Kochi today sentenced three activists of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) to life imprisonment in connection with the chopping of the hand of a college Professor in 2010. The Court found Sajil, MK Nasar, and KA Najeeb, guilty in the case, and awarded life imprisonment. Three others convicted in the case were sentenced to three years imprisonment. All three were let off on bail by the Court.
 
Yesterday, the Court also acquitted five others in the second phase of the trial.
 
The victim, Professor T J Joseph, who was working at Newman College in Thodupuzha, was waylaid by armed PFI supporters, who chopped off his right hand for allegedly insulting the Prophet in a question paper prepared by him.