NIA Court Sentences 10 to Death in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Massacre Case
Raipur/Jagdalpur — An NIA special court in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur on Tuesday sentenced 10 convicts to death in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati massacre case, in which 29 people were killed in a Maoist attack on a Congress party convoy.
The May 25, 2013, ambush targeted the Congress “Parivartan Yatra” in the Darbha region of Bastar. Among those killed were then-Chhattisgarh Congress President Nandkumar Patel, senior leader Mahendra Karma and former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla.
The attack began with an IED blast, followed by the felling of trees to block the road and heavy gunfire from the surrounding forest. Maoists separated political leaders from security personnel during the assault.
The trial lasted nearly 13 years and included testimony from 101 witnesses as well as extensive documentary evidence.
The National Investigation Agency filed a charge sheet of about 1,000 pages in 2015.
The court initially tried 11 accused, but one died during the proceedings. The trial continued against the remaining 10.
Those sentenced to death are Pramila Modiyam, Sumitra Punem, Kosa Kawasi, Mukka Mandavi, Markami Deva, Aayat Markam, Bajami Sena, Chaitu Lekam, Joga Markami and Mahadev Naga.
All 10 are currently being held in central jail. The prosecution sought the death penalty, while the defense argued for a lesser sentence.
The judge noted that the death sentences are subject to confirmation by the High Court and that the convicts have the right to appeal within 30 days.
Investigators found that the attack had been planned weeks in advance. The Maoists had initially intended to target a security force outpost in the Minpa area of Sukma.
However, at a meeting in Pidia village in Bijapur in February 2013 that was attended by senior Maoist commander Devji, the plan was changed to target the convoy in the Darbha region instead.
The Jhiram Ghati massacre remains one of the deadliest attacks on political leaders in Chhattisgarh.
With the trial court verdict delivered, the case is expected to move to the High Court, where the convicts can challenge the death sentences. (Source: IANS)
