Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Jhiram Valley Attack Case: Court Sentences 10 Convicts to Death
A court in Jagdalpur sentenced 10 people to death for their convictions in the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack.
The attack targeted a Congress rally convoy in Chhattisgarh.
Maoist attackers used an explosion, guns and grenades on May 25, 2013.
Several Congress leaders, civilians and security personnel were killed.
Most reports say 29 people died, but the NIA account says 24 died immediately and three injured people later died, making 27.
More than 30 people were injured.
The court had convicted the 10 accused on September 5 and announced the punishments on September 16.
The NIA said the attack was part of a planned Maoist operation.
The defence says it will challenge the verdict, while Congress says investigators did not examine the full conspiracy.
A special NIA court in Jagdalpur sentenced all 10 convicted accused, including two women, to death.
The case concerns the May 25, 2013, Maoist ambush of the Congress Parivartan Rally convoy in Jhiram Valley.
Reports say 29 people were killed, while the NIA account gives an initial toll of 24 dead and 27 after three injured victims later died.
The victims included senior Congress leaders, civilians and security personnel; more than 30 people were injured.
The defence plans to appeal, while Congress has alleged that the wider conspiracy was not fully investigated.
- Who
- A special National Investigation Agency court sentenced 10 convicts, including two women; those killed included Congress leaders, civilians and security personnel.
- What
- The court awarded the death penalty in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack case.
- When
- The attack occurred on May 25, 2013; the convictions were announced on September 5 and the sentences on September 16. One report identifies the sentencing year as 2026.
- Where
- The attack occurred in Jhiram Valley in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and the sentencing took place in Jagdalpur.
- Why
- The sentences followed convictions for the ambush on the Congress Parivartan Rally convoy and related offences under several criminal, arms, explosives and anti-terror laws.
Congress and Defence Concerns
NIA and Prosecution Account
Whether the wider conspiracy was investigated
Congress and Defence Concerns
Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, alleged that the NIA investigation did not adequately examine the larger conspiracy and that some alleged conspirators remained outside the case.
NIA and Prosecution Account
The NIA said its investigation established a conspiracy by armed CPI (Maoist) cadres acting with local committees and divisions to attack the convoy as part of the organisation’s Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign.
Response to the verdict
Congress and Defence Concerns
The defence said it was dissatisfied with the death sentences and would challenge the verdict in the high court.
NIA and Prosecution Account
The prosecution relied on the convictions, 101 prosecution witnesses and documentary evidence presented during the trial.
- Convicts sentenced
- 10, including two women
- Punishment
- Death penalty for all 10 convicts
- Attack date
- May 25, 2013
- Reported death toll
- Most reports state 29; the NIA account states 24 killed initially and 27 after three injured victims later died
- Injuries
- More than 30 reported; the NIA account says more than 35 were injured initially
- Trial evidence
- 101 prosecution witnesses and documentary evidence were presented
- Investigation
- The NIA filed a first chargesheet in 2014 and a supplementary chargesheet in 2015
- Next legal step
- Defence lawyer Arvind Choudhary said the verdict would be challenged in the high court
Sources
NIA Special Court Awards Death Penalty to All 10 Convicts in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist Attack Case
2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack case: All 10 convicts get death sentence
2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist Attack Case: All 10 Convicts Get Death Sentence
2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist Attack Case: NIA Court Awards Death Penalty To All 10 Convicts In Bastar