Verdict Delivered in Nagaon Lynching Case: 20 Convicted, 25 Acquitted

A Nagaon court has convicted 20 individuals in the high-profile lynching case of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, while 25 others were acquitted. The verdict has drawn mixed reactions from the victims' families, who expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. The sentencing will take place on April 24, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty for the convicted. The case, which has sparked widespread outrage, highlights the ongoing issues surrounding mob violence in India. Families of the victims are considering legal options regarding the acquitted defendants, seeking justice and accountability.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 20, 2026, 15:32 IST

Court Ruling in High-Profile Lynching Case

Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das (Photo: Dibyajyoti Nath / Meta)

Raha, Apr 20: A court in Nagaon has reached a verdict in the mob lynching case involving Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, convicting 20 out of 45 defendants while acquitting 25 others, leading to mixed feelings among the victims' families.

The sentencing phase is set for April 24. The 20 individuals found guilty face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including unlawful assembly, rioting, and murder.

Public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar noted that the prosecution encountered significant hurdles during the trial, particularly with several key witnesses becoming hostile.

“I have done my utmost, but faced challenges. Many witnesses turned hostile, and we have informed the court about this. We will decide on appealing to the High Court after reviewing the full judgment,” he stated.

He further mentioned that due to the involvement of Section 302, the court will determine whether to impose life imprisonment or the death penalty after hearing arguments regarding sentencing. “I will contact the Law Secretary to seek an appeal against the acquittal of the 25 defendants,” he added.

Family members of the victims expressed their disappointment with the ruling, arguing that the acquittal of over half of the accused did not meet their expectations for justice.

“We are not satisfied with the outcome. Nearly half of the 45 accused have been acquitted. We demand the harshest penalties, including capital punishment, for those found guilty. Regarding the 25 acquitted, we will consult our lawyer,” stated Nilotpal Das's father outside the Nagaon District and Sessions Court.

Abhijit Nath’s father echoed similar sentiments, indicating that the family would consider legal options concerning the acquitted individuals.

“We sought justice but are not entirely satisfied. We will discuss the acquittals and contemplate an appeal. We hope for government support,” he remarked.

This case revolves around the lynching of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das on June 8, 2018, in Panjuri village, Karbi Anglong district, an incident that triggered widespread public outrage.

Public prosecutor Kamar emphasized that this case exemplifies mob lynching and that the verdict should serve as a strong warning against taking the law into one's own hands.