A special court in Nagaon, Assam, sentenced 20 accused to life imprisonment on Friday for a 2018 mob lynching in Karbi Anglong district that killed two men. Victims Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das were beaten to death amid child abduction rumours. Families of the deceased voiced dissatisfaction with the punishment's severity.
District and sessions judge Dibyajyoti Mahanta in Nagaon pronounced the judgment on Friday, sentencing 20 accused to rigorous life imprisonment for the June 8, 2018, incident in Karbi Anglong. The judge noted that "their intention was evident as they had brutally assaulted the two youths till their death." The court rejected the prosecution's plea for the death penalty, deeming it not among the "rarest of rare" cases, and imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on each.
The attack occurred in Dokmoka when Abhijit Nath, a 29-year-old engineering graduate from Guwahati, and Nilotpal Das, a 30-year-old musician, were returning from fishing. An armed mob, fueled by child abduction rumours, stopped their vehicle, dragged them out, and beat them with sticks, sharp weapons, and makeshift arms. Police arrested 48 people, including three juveniles; a final charge sheet came in 2024. On April 20, the court convicted 20 and acquitted 25 adults.
Public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar stated, "The mob, armed with sticks, sharp weapons and makeshift weapons, intercepted the vehicle, dragged the two youths out and assaulted them. Both died on the spot as per police records." He expressed dissatisfaction and plans to appeal to a higher court. Defence advocate Manas Sarania argued the evidence supports at most culpable homicide under Section 304(2) IPC, not murder, and will challenge in Gauhati High Court.
Nilotpal Das's father, Gopal Das, said, "We are not saying life for life, but the punishment should justify the intensity of the crime." Families blame an eight-year delay for the acquittals and intend to appeal.
