KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested an absconding accused in the 2010 palm chopping case. Mansoor, 47, former Ernakulam district secretary of PFI, was arrested from his residence at Choornikkara, near Aluva.The accused had been absconding since 2011. “An arrest warrant was issued against him. Mansoor was living under cover in different states. On account of the high vigil mounted at airports, he was unable to flee abroad. Recently, we received information about his arrival home. The accused was arrested following a raid at his residence,” an NIA officer said.
The NIA had filed a charge sheet against Mansoor in June. Mansoor allegedly conspired with another accused M K Nasar to attack T J Joseph, a professor of Newman College, Thodupuzha. He allegedly played a part in harbouring the accused and extended financial assistance to their kin. The chargesheet claimed Mansoor wilfully joined the outfit with the knowledge it was constituted for terrorist activities.
He has been charged under section 341, 427, 324, 326, 506(ii), 201, 202, 212, 153(A), 307 and 120 of IPC, section 3 and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act and sections 16(1)(b), 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He has been remanded in judicial custody till September 4 and sent to the Kakkanad District Jail.