Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Tribal Body to Challenge Jhiram Ghati Massacre Verdict
A group representing tribal communities in Bastar plans to ask the High Court to review a murder case verdict.
The case concerns an attack on political leaders in 2013.
A special court convicted ten people and sentenced them to death.
The tribal group says some convicted people were not involved in the attack.
It also says that more important Maoist figures connected to the attack are still free.
Relatives of the convicted people attended the group’s meeting.
The group plans to collect Rs.
20 from each family in Bastar to help pay for the case.
The attack killed 27 people, including many Congress leaders.
Sarv Adivasi Samaj plans to challenge the special NIA court’s verdict in the Chhattisgarh High Court.
The special court convicted ten accused and sentenced them to death earlier this month.
The tribal body claims people unconnected to the attack were convicted while key Maoist conspirators remain free.
It plans to collect Rs. 20 from each family across Bastar’s seven districts to fund the legal challenge.
About 100 armed Maoists killed 27 people, including 26 Congress leaders and workers, in the May 25, 2013 ambush.
- Who
- Sarv Adivasi Samaj, relatives of the convicted people, and the ten people sentenced by the special NIA court.
- What
- The tribal body decided to challenge the Jhiram Ghati massacre verdict in the Chhattisgarh High Court.
- When
- The decision was made at a meeting on Sunday; the attack occurred on May 25, 2013, and the verdict was delivered earlier this month.
- Where
- The meeting was held in Jagdalpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh; the attack occurred at Jhiram Ghati in Bastar’s Darbha division.
- Why
- Sarv Adivasi Samaj says people not directly linked to the attack were convicted, while key Maoist conspirators remain free.
Challenge to the Verdict
Court Verdict
Whether the convicted people were involved
Challenge to the Verdict
Sarv Adivasi Samaj says people not directly linked to the Jhiram Ghati attack were charge-sheeted and convicted.
Court Verdict
The special NIA court convicted all ten accused and sentenced them to death.
Responsibility for the attack
Challenge to the Verdict
The tribal body says key conspirators and major Maoists involved in the attack have surrendered and are roaming free.
Court Verdict
The court’s verdict held the ten accused responsible for the case, although the article does not provide the court’s reasoning.
Legal response
Challenge to the Verdict
Sarv Adivasi Samaj, with support from relatives of the convicts, plans to seek review in the High Court and raise funds across Bastar.
Court Verdict
The special court has already issued convictions and death sentences in the case.
- Legal challenge
- Sarv Adivasi Samaj plans to move the Chhattisgarh High Court.
- Trial court
- A special National Investigation Agency court in Jagdalpur convicted all ten accused.
- Punishment
- The ten convicts were sentenced to death.
- Attack date
- May 25, 2013.
- Deaths
- Twenty-seven people were killed, including 26 Congress leaders and workers.
- Funding plan
- The group plans to collect Rs. 20 from each family across Bastar’s seven districts.
- Attackers
- Around 100 armed Maoists ambushed the convoy.