Nagaon: In a major development, the District and Sessions Court of Nagaon on Monday delivered its final verdict in the sensational Abhi–Neel lynching case that had shaken Assam and the entire country in 2018. After a prolonged trial of nearly seven years and ten months, the court convicted 20 accused, while acquitting 25 others.
The case relates to the brutal killing of two young men—Abhijit Nath and Neelotpal Das—who were attacked by a mob on June 8, 2018, at Panjuri village under Dokmoka police station in Karbi Anglong district. The two, both nature lovers from Guwahati, had gone to the area to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Karbi hills. On their way back, they were suspected to be child abductors and were lynched by a mob despite repeatedly identifying themselves as Assamese.
The shocking incident had triggered massive outrage across Assam and beyond, with protests demanding strict punishment for those involved.
The Nagaon Sessions Court, presided over by Judge D.J. Mahanta, pronounced the verdict after examining 71 witnesses and hearing arguments from both sides. The trial, which initially began in Diphu, was later shifted to Nagaon following a directive from the Gauhati High Court.
Out of 45 accused who stood trial, 20 were found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder (Section 302), unlawful assembly, and assault. The remaining 25 accused were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. Three of the originally accused persons were minors, and their cases were handled separately in a juvenile court.
The court is expected to announce the quantum of punishment for the convicted individuals on April 24.
Reacting to the verdict, the victims’ fathers—Ajit Nath and Gopal Chandra Das—said they were not fully satisfied with the judgment. While respecting the court’s decision, they expressed disappointment that more than half of the accused were acquitted.
They stated that they had hoped for exemplary punishment for all those involved and demanded the death penalty for those convicted under murder charges. They also indicated that they may approach a higher court after reviewing the acquittals.
The investigation carried out by Karbi Anglong Police has been widely appreciated. Soon after the incident, police acted swiftly and arrested 48 people. A detailed chargesheet of around 800 pages was filed within three months of the crime.
The investigation was closely supervised by then Superintendent of Police of Karbi Anglong, G.V. Shivaprasad, who is currently serving as Inspector General of Police (Central Assam Range). The investigating officer in the case was Inspector Kamal Rajbongshi, supported by a team of officers including then Additional SP Muzaffar Hussain.
The Abhi–Nilotpal lynching case became a symbol of mob violence fueled by rumours, especially on social media. The incident led to widespread calls for stricter laws and awareness against misinformation.
Despite delays caused by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and transfer of judges, the case continued in Nagaon for years before reaching its conclusion.
With 20 convictions secured, the verdict is being seen as a significant step in delivering justice, though concerns remain over the acquittal of several accused. The final sentencing on April 24 is now being closely watched.
The case remains one of the most disturbing examples of mob lynching in Assam’s recent history and continues to highlight the dangers of rumor-driven violence.
