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Assam court convicts 20 in 2018 lynching case, acquits 25 for lack of evidence
A special court in Nagaon convicted 20 accused and acquitted 25 in the 2018 lynching of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das in Karbi Anglong. The case, which involved multiple arrests and a transfer of the trial, included testimony from witnesses who were partly hostile, with sentencing to be determined later.
Why It Matters
The ruling addresses a high-profile mob violence case that drew nationwide condemnation and highlights challenges around evidence and witness reliability in lynching cases.
Timeline
6 Events
Punishment for convicts to be pronounced on April 24
April 20, 2026
The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment for the 20 convicts on April 24.
Conviction of 20 and acquittal of 25
April 20, 2026
A special court in Nagaon convicted 20 accused in the 2018 lynching case and acquitted 25 due to lack of evidence. The prosecution described the charges as murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, obstructing a public servant, and related offences under the IPC.
Witness examination and hostile testimony
2018
Twelve witnesses were examined during the trial, with eight turning hostile and claiming they were tutored and pressured; the defence argued inconsistencies in witness statements.
Trial transfer to Nagaon and start of trial in special court
2018
The trial was transferred from Karbi Anglong to Nagaon on the Gauhati High Court’s directive, to be conducted in a special court in Nagaon.
Police arrest and charge sheet filed; juvenile suspects identified
2018
Following the lynching, Assam Police arrested 45 adults and apprehended three juveniles; a charge sheet was filed against 45 adult accused. The trial was later transferred from Karbi Anglong to Nagaon on the Gauhati High Court's directive.
Lynching of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das in Karbi Anglong
2018
A mob intercepted the vehicle carrying businessman Abhijit Nath and musician Nilotpal Das, dragged them out, assaulted them with sticks and sharp-edged weapons, and killed them on the spot after rumours of child abductors circulated in the area.