Kerala professor, bears no ill will against PFI for Amaravati, PTI: There is chopping his hands

Kochi: Professor T J Joseph, whose right hand was chopped off back in 2010 by alleged activists of now banned Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), still bears no ill-will against his attackers whose actions not only impaired the functioning of his palm, but also led to him losing his job for a while that in turn resulted in his wife's suicide.

Joseph firmly believes that his life was not destroyed by what happened 13 years ago, but admitted that it did undergo some changes and he did suffer some losses.

"Losses are inevitable in any battle. Even for those who are victorious, like me. But I will keep fighting," he told reporters after a special NIA court on Wednesday convicted six persons, who are allegedly members of PFI, in the sensational hand chopping case in the second phase of the trial in the matter.

Five others were acquitted by the court. In the first phase of the trial in the case, 13 persons were convicted for various offences ranging from those under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to the Explosives Substances Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Joseph said he was unmoved by the verdict as he has never believed that punishing an accused means delivery of justice to the victim.

"It only means that the law of the land has been implemented, according to me. So, actually, whether they are convicted or acquitted, personally I do not care either way," he said.

He further said those caught and convicted in the case "were only the weapons" and the real culprits who engineered the attack are still out there.

"It is against them that my battle continues," Joseph said. The professor said that just like him, the accused in the case were also victims. (PTI)