Kochi: Savad, the key accused in the incident of chopping off Professor T.J. Joseph's hand in Kerala, has spent the last 13 years hiding in plain sight in Mattanur. Despite Kerala Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) expanding the investigation beyond the state's borders, Savad's whereabouts remained unknown for more than a decade.

Savad, 38, was residing in rented quarters in the Beram ward under the Mattannur municipality under the alias Shajahan. He had been staying here for the past two years and secured a living as a daily wager and a carpenter. The former activist of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), Savad, married a Kasaragod native eight years ago. 

He was residing with his wife and two daughters when NIA officials expertly nabbed him from the hideout on Tuesday night. The neighbours said that Savad and his family were previously residing in Vilakkode. The locals claim that an NDF worker arranged the job for Savad. 

Meanwhile, NIA launched an operation to nab him even without informing the local police or special branch. The team is said to have been camping in the area for several days to monitor Savad's movements. Following the arrest, NIA informed the city police commissioner about the development.