The National Investigation Agency (NIA) tracked down and arrested the harbourer of the prime assailant on Friday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Kerala Professor palm chopping case. According to NIA, the accused, C Shafeer, a cadre of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), had provided shelter to Savad when the latter had absconded after the attack on retired Professor T J Joseph, at Muvattupuzha in July 2010. NIA investigations have revealed that Shafeer was purportedly involved in several violent acts for PFI. 

Savad was earlier taken into custody by NIA from Kannur in January 2024 with the help of various security agencies after evading arrest for more than 13 years. A hit team member of PFI, he was chargesheeted in January 2021 in the case, which was one of the earliest such incidents in India reflecting the ideology of violent extremism being pursued by the organisation.