Jagdalpur: In a major development in the Jhiram Valley massacre case, the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, has sentenced all 10 convicted accused to death. Special Judge Ajay Singh Rajput pronounced the sentence today.
The court has granted the convicts 30 days to challenge the verdict before the High Court. The death sentence will therefore remain subject to the appellate process and further judicial scrutiny.
The Jhiram Valley massacre took place on May 25, 2013, in the Darbha police station area of Bastar district. Maoists attacked a convoy of Congress leaders and workers, killing 27 people, including several senior Congress leaders. Another 35 people were injured in the attack.
Following the incident, the NIA registered an FIR against more than 150 accused in connection with the attack. Eleven Maoist accused were arrested during the investigation and subsequent proceedings. One of the accused died during the course of the trial.
The remaining 10 accused were convicted by the NIA Special Court on September 5. After recording their conviction, the court today pronounced the sentence and awarded the death penalty to all 10 convicts.
The case is now likely to move into the appellate stage, as the convicts have been given 30 days to approach the High Court against the death sentence. The High Court will examine the case in accordance with law if an appeal is filed.
The Jhiram Valley attack remains one of the most devastating Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh’s history, particularly because of the large number of political leaders and other persons who lost their lives. The latest judgment marks a significant stage in the long-running judicial proceedings arising from the 2013 attack.
