Archive · 6 Sep 2026
NIA Court Convicts 10 in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Attack
In 2013, Maoists attacked a convoy carrying Congress leaders in Jhiram Valley, Chhattisgarh.
The convoy was taking part in an election-related march called the Parivartan Yatra.
Many people died, including several important Congress leaders and security personnel.
The National Investigation Agency later investigated the attack.
Prosecutors presented 101 witnesses and supporting evidence during the trial.
A special court in Jagdalpur has now convicted the 10 accused who survived to face trial.
The court will announce their punishments later.
Congress says the case did not uncover the people who may have planned a larger conspiracy.
The BJP says the convictions show that the NIA investigation was correct.
A Special NIA court in Jagdalpur convicted all 10 surviving accused in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack case.
The court found the accused guilty under provisions of the IPC, UAPA, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act; punishment is scheduled for September 16.
Maoists ambushed a Congress convoy during the Parivartan Yatra in Bastar on May 25, 2013, killing at least 27 people and reportedly around 29 to 32 after later deaths from injuries.
Among those killed were Congress leaders Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma, Vidya Charan Shukla, Dinesh Patel and Uday Mudliyar.
Congress called the verdict incomplete justice and alleged a wider political conspiracy, while the BJP said it vindicated the NIA investigation.
- Who
- A Special National Investigation Agency court convicted 10 surviving accused; the victims included Congress leaders Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma and Vidya Charan Shukla.
- What
- The court convicted the accused in the 2013 Maoist ambush on a Congress convoy; the quantum of punishment remains pending.
- When
- The attack occurred on May 25, 2013. The convictions were reported in September 2026, with punishment scheduled for September 16; reports also say the verdict date had earlier been deferred from August 31 to September 5.
- Where
- The attack took place in Jhiram Valley, Darbha, in Bastar, Chhattisgarh; the trial was held in Jagdalpur.
- Why
- The NIA said the attack resulted from a CPI (Maoist) conspiracy to target Congress leaders and security personnel. Congress and BJP leaders continue to dispute alleged security failures and the investigation's scope.
Congress Allegations
BJP Response
Scope of justice
Congress Allegations
Congress leaders said convicting 10 alleged foot soldiers did not establish the larger political conspiracy behind the attack and called the verdict incomplete justice.
BJP Response
The BJP welcomed the convictions and said the verdict brought the attackers to justice after a prolonged wait.
Investigation and conspiracy
Congress Allegations
Bhupesh Baghel and Deepak Baij alleged that the NIA failed to investigate a wider conspiracy, removed or ignored senior Maoist names, and protected politically influential people. Baij also alleged that the attack was a contract killing targeting Congress leaders.
BJP Response
The BJP said the verdict vindicated the NIA investigation. Santosh Pandey questioned why Baghel had not presented alleged evidence during his five-year tenure, while Raman Singh accused him of politicizing the issue.
Security arrangements
Congress Allegations
Congress leaders alleged that the then BJP-led state government failed to provide adequate police or paramilitary protection for the Parivartan Yatra, despite advance information about the programme.
BJP Response
The BJP response cited the case's transfer to the NIA while the UPA governed nationally and the BJP governed Chhattisgarh, saying the transfer was intended to avoid doubts about the investigation.
- Attack date
- May 25, 2013
- Location
- Jhiram Ghati, Darbha, Bastar, Chhattisgarh
- Convictions
- All 10 surviving accused facing trial were convicted
- Punishment
- The quantum of sentence was reserved for announcement on September 16
- Casualties
- Twenty-four people were reported killed at the scene and three later died of injuries; other reports give a total of approximately 29 to 32 deaths
- Investigation evidence
- The prosecution examined 101 witnesses and presented documentary and forensic evidence
- Chargesheets
- The NIA filed an initial chargesheet in September 2014 and a supplementary chargesheet in September 2015
- Investigative proceedings
- The matter involved NIA and SIT investigations, two judicial commissions and a 2020 Supreme Court proceeding
