Archive · 6 Sep 2026
NIA Court Convicts 10 in 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist Attack
A court connected to India’s National Investigation Agency found 10 people guilty in a deadly 2013 attack.
Maoists ambushed a Congress convoy in Jhiram Valley in Chhattisgarh.
The attack killed 29 people, including several important Congress leaders and security personnel.
Mahendra Karma, who was linked to the anti-Maoist Salwa Judum campaign, was among those killed.
The court will announce the punishments on September 16.
Congress leaders said the judgment did not fully explain who planned the attack.
The defence lawyer said the convicted people will challenge the decision in a higher court.
Many other accused people are still wanted, according to the report.
An NIA court convicted 10 people for the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack.
The May 25, 2013, ambush killed 29 people, including senior Congress leaders and 10 security personnel.
Those killed included Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh, Uday Mudliyar and Mahendra Karma.
Judge Ajay Singh Rajput is scheduled to announce the sentences on September 16.
The convicted people’s defence counsel said they would appeal against the verdict.
- Who
- An NIA court convicted 10 accused people; the attack killed Congress leaders, other civilians and 10 security personnel.
- What
- The court found the 10 accused guilty in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack.
- When
- The attack occurred on May 25, 2013; the convictions were reported on Saturday, with sentencing scheduled for September 16.
- Where
- Jhiram Ghati, in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- The investigation reported that the attack was primarily aimed at Mahendra Karma, who had helped organize the anti-Maoist Salwa Judum militia.
Critics Question Completeness
Defence Plans Appeal
Scope of the investigation
Critics Question Completeness
Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel and Avadhesh Jha said the judgment felt like incomplete justice and alleged that a possible political conspiracy had not been investigated.
Defence Plans Appeal
Defence counsel Arvind Choudhary said the convicted people would appeal against the verdict.
Accountability for the attack
Critics Question Completeness
The reported investigation concluded that the attack was primarily targeted at Mahendra Karma, and critics have sought fuller clarity about the attack’s wider political context.
Defence Plans Appeal
The defence has challenged the verdict by announcing an appeal, but the article does not detail its specific grounds.
- Attack date
- May 25, 2013
- Location
- Jhiram Ghati, Bastar, Chhattisgarh
- Deaths
- 29 people, including 10 security personnel
- Convictions
- 10 people were convicted by an NIA court
- Sentencing
- Judge Ajay Singh Rajput is scheduled to announce the sentences on September 16
- Case status
- One of 11 arrested accused died during trial, while at least 28 others remain wanted
- Investigation filings
- The NIA filed an initial chargesheet in 2014 and a supplementary chargesheet in 2015