Chandan Gupta Murder Case: A special NIA court in Lucknow convicted 28 individuals on Thursday in connection with the murder of Chandan Gupta, who was killed during a communal clash in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj on January 26, 2018, during the Tiranga Yatra. 

The court presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi, found the accused guilty on several charges, including sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), and 147 (rioting) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as provisions of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act and the CLA Act. The sentencing is scheduled to be delivered on Friday.

The incident took place during a Republic Day "Tiranga Yatra" that involved 100 motorbikes adorned with Indian and saffron flags. The procession was led by members of the VHP, ABVP, and Hindu Yuva Vahini. The rally entered the largely Muslim Baddunagar area, defying administrative restrictions, which led to clashes and stone-pelting. 

ALSO READ: ‘Very Sad, Travesty Of Justice’: Ex-Indian Envoy To Bangladesh Fumes As Chimoy Krishna Das Denied Bail

Chandan was 20 years old at the time of the incident. He was a B.Com final-year student and the youngest member of his family. Following the incident, Kasganj was gripped by unrest, with several vehicles and shops being torched. The authorities had to impose a curfew in the city, which lasted for several days. 

ALSO READ: Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh Among Four Athletes To Receive Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Sports Ministry

In July 2018, the Kasganj Police filed a chargesheet, which included the addition of Section 124A (sedition). This led to the case being transferred to the NIA Court. Originally, 30 individuals were named as accused, but during the charge framing stage, Asim Qureshi and Nasiruddin were acquitted.