Ashraf Maulavi arrested and released

Kochi: SDPI leader Ashraf Maulavi, an accused in the hand chopping case, was arrested when he arrived here from Doha this morning and later released.

Maulavi had allegedly made provocative speech and conducted road block a day after the Malayalam lecturer of a private college was brutally attacked on July 4, 2010 and his hand chopped off.

A look out notice had been issued against him.

Emigration officials informed the police when he arrived at the airport and he was taken into custody.

However, he was later let off as he had secured anticipatory bail.

Some activists of the SDPI took out marches in nearly Aluva protesting the arrest.

T J Joseph, a Malayalam lecturer, who was under suspension for preparing a question paper with an objectionable reference to the Prophet, was attacked by a gang at Muvatupuzha in Ernakulam district and his right hand chopped off when he was coming back from church.