A special NIA court in Ernakulam on Friday sentenced 10 convicts to eight years rigorous imprisonment for chopping the hand a college professor in Kerala in 2010.
Three other convicts in the case were awarded two-year jail term by the court.
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The court had on May 6 convicted 13 people in connection with the case and reserved the quantum of punishment for May 8.
All the convicted owe allegiance to radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India. Ten of the 13 have been have been found guilty under various sections of the central law dealing with terror -- the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Eighteen others were acquitted citing lack of evidence.
The prosecution lawyer argued that the convicts don't deserve any mercy as they had indulged in "offence of terrorism" for which they have so far shown "no amount of remorse".
The prosecution had also sought adequate compensation for T J Joseph, professor of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, whose hand was chopped while he was returning home after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on July 4, 2010.
The prosecution lawyer had said there is no other force other than the judiciary that can curb the act of terrorism.
Presenting his argument, the defence lawyer had said that the convicts were the sole breadwinners of their families and they should be given only minimum sentences prescribed under law.
He also pointed out that the convicts were not habitual offenders.
The 13 persons owing allegiance to Popular Front of India chopped off Joseph's hand out of enmity towards him, accusing him of hurting the religious sentiments of a community through a question paper he had set for his students.
Besides UAPA, the court had also found the 10 accused guilty under various sections of Explosive Substances Act and IPC that deals with criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder.
The court, however, convicted three accused--Abdul Lateef, Anwar Sadique and Riyas-- under Section 212 of IPC.
Eighteen people have been acquitted by the court citing lack of evidence against them in the case.
Thirty-seven persons were chargesheeted by the NIA in the case. However, 31 only underwent trial as the remaining six, including first accused Savad, were absconding.
After the verdict, Joseph said the judgement was not going to have any effect on him.
"I have forgiven those who did this to me. I have nothing against them," said Joseph who last year faced another tragedy when his 48-year-old wife Shalomi Joseph committed suicide.
He added that he was waiting for justice from the state government.
