In Kerala, the National Investigation Agency last night arrested Tamar Ashraf, a key accused in the Prof T J Joseph hand chopping case. Ashraf went abroad and was declared absconding after the hand chopping incident. He was taken into custody from his house at Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district. He is said to have provided funds to other accused in the case to carry out the attack on the Professor.Prof Joseph's palm was chopped off by an eight member gang in July 2009, for preparing a question paper with objectionable reference to Prophet Mohammed.