NIA court sentences 10 to death in 2013 Chhattisgarh maoist attack that killed 29
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Raipur: An NIA special court in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur on Tuesday sentenced 10 convicts to death in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati massacre case, in which 29 people were killed in a Maoist attack on a Congress party convoy.
The attack took place on May 25, 2013, when Maoists ambushed the Congress’ ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in the Darbha region of Bastar. Among those killed were then Chhattisgarh Congress president Nandkumar Patel, senior leader Mahendra Karma and former Union minister Vidyacharan Shukla.
The attack began with an IED blast, followed by the felling of trees to block the road and intense gunfire from the surrounding forest. The Maoists separated political leaders from security personnel during the assault.
The trial lasted nearly 13 years, with statements from 101 witnesses recorded and extensive documentary evidence submitted. The National Investigation Agency filed an approximately 1,000-page charge sheet in 2015.
The court had originally tried 11 accused, but one died during the proceedings. The trial subsequently continued against the remaining 10.
The convicts sentenced to death are Pramila Modiyam, Sumitra Punem, Kosa Kawasi, Mukka Mandavi, Markami Deva, Aayat Markam, Bajami Sena, Chaitu Lekam, Joga Markami and Mahadev Naga. All are currently lodged in central jail.
The prosecution had sought the death penalty, while the defence argued for a lighter sentence. The judge noted that the death sentences are subject to confirmation by the High Court and that the convicts have the right to appeal within 30 days.
Investigations found that the attack had been planned weeks in advance. The Maoists had initially intended to target a security force outpost in the Minpa area of Sukma. However, at a meeting held in Pidia village of Bijapur in February 2013 and attended by senior Maoist commander Devji, the plan was changed to target the convoy in the Darbha region.
The Jhiram Ghati massacre remains one of the deadliest attacks on political leaders in Chhattisgarh. With the trial court having delivered its verdict, the case is now expected to move to the High Court, where the convicts can challenge the death sentences.
With IANS inputs