Life Sentences for 20 Convicts in High-Profile Lynching Case
Court Delivers Verdict in Abhi-Neel Lynching Case
Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das (Photo: Dibyajyoti Nath / Meta)
Guwahati, April 23: A Nagaon court has sentenced twenty individuals to life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the Abhi-Neel mob lynching case, nearly eight years after the tragic event.
Senior advocate Bijan Mahajan, representing the victims' families, confirmed that each convict received a life sentence along with a fine of Rs 20,000.
Despite the verdict, the victims' families expressed their disappointment. The father of victim Nilotpal Das stated, “While the verdict has been delivered, we are not entirely satisfied. We will consult with our lawyers regarding potential next steps, including an appeal to the High Court.”
He further mentioned their expectation for a harsher punishment, saying, “We were hoping for the death penalty, but life imprisonment was given instead. This is why we feel let down.”
He raised concerns about the court's ruling, questioning, “If this case isn’t considered ‘rarest of rare,’ then what qualifies? Who will provide answers—the government or the judiciary? This incident not only shocked the nation but also attracted international attention. After waiting eight years for justice, we did not receive the outcome we anticipated. We will explore our options moving forward.”
On April 20, the court had found 20 of the 45 accused guilty, while 25 others were acquitted.
This case revolves around the lynching of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, which occurred on June 8, 2018, in Panjuri village, Karbi Anglong district, an incident that sparked widespread outrage throughout the country.