Guwahati, April 20: In a significant verdict, the District and Sessions Court in Nagaon on Monday convicted 20 persons in the ‘Abhi-Neel’ mob lynching that took place in Karbi Anglong district eight years back.
However, 25 other accused were acquitted by the court after the “prosecution failed to prove the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt”.
The court also noted that certain charges, including mischief and abetment, could not be substantiated against several individuals.
It may be recalled that two youths from Guwahati, Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, were lynched by a mob at Panjuri village under Dokmoka police station on June 8, 2018.
The duo had travelled to the Kangthilangso waterfall near the village when they were brutally assaulted by the mob on the suspicion of being child lifters following rumours circulated on social media, even as the youths identified themselves and pleaded that they be spared.
Videos of the incident went viral, sparking widespread outrage across Assam and beyond.
After examining the evidence, the court found 20 accused guilty under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 302 (murder) read with Section 149 (common object), along with sections related to unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault on public servants.
“The sentencing of the 20 convicted individuals will be pronounced on April 24, 2026, Ziaul Kamar, Special Public Prosecutor appointed by the state government to handle the case, informed the media on Monday.
Notably, Assam Police had, after the horrific incident, acted promptly and arrested 48 individuals, including three juveniles who were allegedly part of the mob who attacked the two youths. The investigation subsequently led to filing of chargesheets against more than 40 individuals.
The trial had initially commenced at a court in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, but later transferred to the District and Sessions Court in Nagaon, following a directive from the Gauhati High Court, in the interest of ensuring a fair trial.
