20 jailed for life in 2018 Assam lynching case

The district and sessions judge sentenced the 20 convicted to rigorous imprisonment for life, with a fine of ₹20,000 each, under sections 302/149 IPC. The court rejected the prosecution's plea for the death penalty as not falling under the rarest of rare category. Family members of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the punishment.

The court convicted 20 accused in the 2018 mob lynching case. Separately, 25 adults were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The final charge sheet in the case was submitted in 2024. The case was registered under sections 302 (murder), 143, 147, 149, 186, and 332 IPC. The trial had been ongoing and was later transferred from Diphu to the Nagaon sessions court following a Gauhati High Court directive.

In the Dokmoka area of Karbi Anglong district, an armed mob intercepted the vehicle carrying Abhijit Nath (29), an engineering graduate and businessman, and Nilotpal Das (30), a musician, who had travelled from Guwahati for fishing. Following rumours that they were child abductors, the mob dragged them out and assaulted them to death.

Assam Police arrested 48 people, including three juveniles. A charge sheet was filed against 45 of the accused; the juveniles were dealt with separately under the juvenile justice system.