Nagaon, April 20: The District and Sessions Court in Nagaon on April 20 delivered its verdict in the 2018 Abhi–Neel mob lynching case, convicting 20 of the 45 accused, while acquitting 25 due to lack of sufficient evidence.
The case relates to the killing of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, two young men from Guwahati, who were lynched by a mob on June 8, 2018, at Panjuri Kachari village under Dokmoka police station in Karbi Anglong district.
According to the prosecution, the victims were attacked on suspicion of being child lifters, following rumours that had spread widely on social media. Despite identifying themselves and pleading for their lives, they were assaulted in public view. Videos of the incident later circulated online, triggering widespread outrage across the state.
After examining the evidence, the court found 20 accused guilty under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 302 (murder) read with Section 149 (common object), along with charges related to unlawful assembly, rioting and assault on public servants.
At the same time, the court acquitted 25 individuals, observing that the prosecution had failed to establish charges against them beyond reasonable doubt. It also noted that certain allegations, including those related to mischief and abetment, could not be substantiated in several cases.
The Superintendent of Central Jail, Nagaon, has been directed to release those acquitted, provided they are not required in any other case.
Reacting to the verdict, the father of Nilotpal Das expressed dissatisfaction over the acquittals and said he would approach the Gauhati High Court after consulting legal experts.
The incident had sparked protests across Assam, with civil society groups demanding justice and stronger measures against mob violence driven by misinformation. Sentencing for the 20 convicted persons is scheduled for April 24.
The judgment marks a significant development in one of the most high-profile cases of mob lynching in the state in recent years.
