22 hrs ago
Jhiram Ghati Death Sentences Leave Victims’ Families Seeking Answers
A court in Bastar sentenced 10 Maoists to death for a deadly attack in 2013.
The attack targeted a Congress rally convoy in Jhiram Ghati.
Several important Congress leaders were killed.
The families of the sentenced men say some of them were not at the scene.
They plan to challenge the decision in a higher court.
Mahendra Karma’s daughter said she is unhappy because some Maoists who later surrendered were not convicted.
A government official said surrender does not automatically erase criminal cases.
The cases of surrendered people may still be reviewed under government rules.
A special National Investigation Agency court in Bastar sentenced 10 Maoists to death for the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack.
The attack on May 25, 2013, killed several Congress leaders, including Mahendra Karma, Nand Kumar Patel and Uday Mudliyar.
Families of the convicted men say at least some were falsely implicated and plan to appeal in the High Court.
Mahendra Karma’s daughter Tulika questioned why surrendered Maoists named in the chargesheet have not been convicted.
Officials said surrender does not automatically end criminal cases, which can be reviewed under the rehabilitation policy and applicable law.
- Who
- Ten convicted Maoists, the families of the accused, victims’ relatives and government officials are central to the case.
- What
- A special National Investigation Agency court sentenced 10 Maoists to death for the Jhiram Ghati attack.
- Where
- Jhiram Ghati in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
- When
- The attack occurred on May 25, 2013; the court issued its judgment on September 5 and announced the punishment on Wednesday after more than a decade of trial.
- Why
- The sentences followed the prosecution of an ambush on a Congress Parivartan Rally convoy that killed several people.
Criticism of the Judgment
Government and Prosecution Position
Whether the convicted men were involved
Criticism of the Judgment
Relatives of the accused say some convicts, including Kosa Kavasi and Chaitu Mandavi, were falsely implicated and were preparing for family weddings when the attack occurred.
Government and Prosecution Position
The special National Investigation Agency court found 10 Maoists guilty and imposed the death penalty after a trial lasting more than a decade.
Treatment of surrendered Maoists
Criticism of the Judgment
Tulika, Mahendra Karma’s daughter, argues that surrendered Maoists named in the case should not be allowed to avoid prosecution and questions why they were excluded from the convictions.
Government and Prosecution Position
A government official said surrender does not automatically terminate criminal proceedings; cases may be examined under the rehabilitation policy, with recommendations and approvals required under applicable law.
Satisfaction with the outcome
Criticism of the Judgment
Families of both the accused and at least one prominent victim said they were dissatisfied: the accused families dispute the convictions, while Tulika said the judgment did not provide safety or complete accountability.
Government and Prosecution Position
The court has convicted 10 people, while authorities say further decisions concerning surrendered accused will follow the surrender policy and legal procedures.
Key facts
- Convicted
- 10 Maoists were sentenced to death.
- Attack date
- May 25, 2013.
- Victims named
- Mahendra Karma, Nand Kumar Patel, Dinesh Patel and Uday Mudliyar were among those killed.
- Trial duration
- More than a decade, with at least 294 hearings.
- Other accused
- One accused died during trial, while 28 others named in the chargesheet remain wanted.
- Appeal
- The convicts’ lawyer said they would approach the High Court within the stipulated 30-day period.
- Surrender policy
- Officials said surrender does not automatically withdraw or close criminal cases.
Quotes
Government official
Unnamed official familiar with the rehabilitation policy
“We were not satisfied then and we are not satisfied now. We are not safe even now. Most Naxalities who surrendered, like Papa Rao, said in a video interview that he was involved in the attack. Will he go scot free now? Can anyone tell me on what basis those who have surrendered have been removed from the list (of convicts)?”
indianexpress.com
“The states have their surrender policy and under it, appropriate decisions were taken based on the situation at that time. Further decisions will also be taken as per the surrender policy.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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