Police begin probe in complaint of alleged threat to witness

Police have registered a case and begun investigation into a complaint by the prime witness in the 'palm chopping case' that he had been allegedly threatened by some persons, police sources said today.

A case has been registered under IPC section 506 (criminal intimidation) on the instructions of the National Investigation Agency which is probing the case relating to the attack on Prof T J Joseph who was attacked and his palm was chopped off while he was returning after a Sunday mass on July 4, 2010 at Thodupuzha in Idukki.

The father of the prime witness was waylaid by a group of persons and threatened that his son should not give evidence during the trial of the case which has begun.

Police said they were informed about the incident, which occurred two months ago, only a couple of days ago.

The witness had taken Joseph to the hospital soon after the incident.

NIA has framed the charges against 31 accused.