NAGAON, ASSAM – Nearly eight years after a brutal mob lynching shook the nation, the Nagaon Sessions Court on Friday (April 24, 2026) sentenced 20 individuals to life imprisonment for the murders of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das.
The verdict follows the court’s earlier decision on April 20, where 20 out of 45 accused were found guilty, while 25 others were acquitted due to a lack of evidence.
The Verdict and Sentencing
Under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the court handed down life sentences to the 20 convicts. In addition to the prison terms, each convict has been ordered to pay a fine of ₹20,000.
Senior advocate Bijon Mahajan, representing the victims’ families, confirmed the sentencing. The trial, which began in Diphu before being moved to Nagaon by the Gauhati High Court, has been a long road to justice for the families of the two young men.
Despite the convictions, the families of Abhijit and Nilotpal expressed profound disappointment, having hoped for the death penalty. Nilotpal Das’s father questioned why the court did not categorize the brutal incident as a “rarest of rare” case.
“If this is not a ‘rarest of rare’ case, then what is? We waited eight years for this verdict, but we did not get the result we hoped for,” he said.
Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar echoed these sentiments, stating that the prosecution intends to challenge the verdict in a higher court to seek capital punishment.
The “Abhi-Neel” case dates back to June 8, 2018, when Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das were stopped by a murderous mob at Panjuri village in Dokmoka, Karbi Anglong. The duo, who were visiting the area, were falsely accused of being child abductors fueled by social media rumors. They were brutally lynched despite their pleas for mercy.
Key Facts of the Case:
- Total Accused: 48 (including three juveniles).
- Convicted: 20 adults.
- Acquitted: 25 adults (due to insufficient evidence).
- Legal Representation: Senior advocate Bijon Mahajan (Victims); Manas Sarania (Accused).
While the sentencing marks a significant legal milestone, the victims’ families remain resolute in their pursuit of what they deem “full justice,” signaling that the legal battle is likely to continue in the Gauhati High Court.
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