Jhiram Ghati 2013 Naxal Attack: NIA Court Convicts All 10 Accused For Killing 32, Including Congress Leaders

The NIA Special Court has convicted all 10 surviving accused in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack, one of the deadliest Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh’s history. The special NIA court, headed by Judge Ajay Singh Rajput, pronounced the verdict. 

There were originally 11 accused in the case, but one died during the trial and investigation, while the 10 currently accused, including 2 women, are lodged in Jagdalpur Central Jail. 

A total of 32 people were killed and 38 others seriously injured in the horrific attack, according to figures cited by Jagran.com in the case. The NIA’s charge sheet, however, officially listed 27 fatalities. 

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Among those killed were then-state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh, former Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Mahendra Karma, former Union minister Vidya Charan Shukla, and senior Congress leader and former MLA Uday Mudliyar. 

The final hearing in the Jhiram Valley attack case concluded on August 12, after which the court reserved its verdict. The decision was initially scheduled to be pronounced on August 31 but was postponed by five days before being finally delivered on September 5.

The order on the quantum of punishment has been reserved for September 16.

“We will appeal against the verdict in the higher court. We have not received the copy of the judgment yet. We will be able to give the grounds for appeal after receiving it,” PTI quoted defence lawyer Arvind Choudhary. 

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Nearly 1,000-Page Charge Sheet

Following an extensive investigation, the NIA filed a nearly 1,000-page charge sheet before the court in 2015, naming 11 people as accused. During the lengthy trial, the prosecution examined 101 witnesses to establish its case, while the defence did not produce any witnesses.

What Happened In Jhiram Ghati?

On May 25, 2013, the Congress party was conducting a ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. As the convoy of Congress leaders passed through Jhiram Valley, hundreds of Maoists lying in ambush opened indiscriminate fire on the convoy from all sides.

The attack became one of the most horrific episodes of Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh, targeting several prominent political leaders and security personnel.