Assam court convicts 20, acquits 25 in mob lynching case of Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath

Guwahati: The Nagaon District and Sessions Court in Assam on Monday delivered its verdict in a case of mob lynching of two youths –– Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath –– convicting 20 of the 45 accused, while acquitting 25 others.

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on April 24.

Public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar said it was a challenging trial as several witnesses had turned hostile. “Whether we will appeal in the high court will be clearer after reviewing the detailed judgement.”


“I will write to the Law Secretary to seek an appeal against the acquittal of the 25 accused,” he said.

Family members of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, “We are not satisfied with the verdict. Of the 45 accused, nearly half of them have been acquitted. We demand the strictest punishment, including capital punishment, for those convicted. As for the 25 acquitted, we will consult our lawyer.”

The case pertains to the lynching of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das on June 8, 2018, in Panjuri village under Dokmoka of Karbi Anglong district, in a brutal incident that had sparked public outcry.

There were protests in the state following the incident. Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath had gone to Kathilangso waterfall. Nilotpal worked as sound engineer in Goa while Abhijit was a mechanical engineer.