10 Convicted In Deadly 2013 Maoist Attack On Congress Leaders In Bastar

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region has convicted 10 people in connection with the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack, which killed 29 people and virtually wiped out the state's Congress leadership.

Security forces categorise the Jhiram Valley attack as one of the worst instances of left-wing violence. The incident took place on May 25, 2013, when Maoists ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders on a national highway in Jhiram Valley, under the Darbha police station limits in Bastar district.

The Congress leaders were returning after attending a 'Parivartan Rally' when they were attacked. Among those killed were senior Congress leaders, including then-state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh, former Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Mahendra Karma, former Union Minister Vidya Charan Shukla, and former MLA Uday Mudliyar. Several civilians and security personnel were also killed.

Also read: Beyond Jhiram Massacre: A Student's Memory Of A Teacher Who Never Returned

Special Judge Abhay Singh Rajput of the NIA special court in Jagdalpur convicted the 10 accused, including two women, news agency PTI reported.

The quantum of sentence is expected to be announced on September 16.

The Bastar police initially registered the case. However, given the gravity of the attack, the probe was handed over to the NIA.

The NIA filed its charge sheet in the special court at Jagdalpur in September 2014 and presented 101 witnesses over the years.

Apart from the NIA, two judicial commissions were also formed to probe the attack.

Also read: Inside The Jhiram Valley Massacre: Survivor Stories From 2013 Attack

The verdict was expected on August 31; however, the court deferred it to September 5.

Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the NIA suppressed facts and prevented the state government from probing the case. He also alleged that the previous BJP government failed to provide security, enabling the Maoists to kill Congress leaders.

Former BJP national vice-president and former chief minister Raman Singh countered, saying Baghel did not care about the case. "He just wants to play politics over the issue," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.