Jagdalpur: The court has given its verdict after 13 years in the famous Jheeram Valley Naxalite attack case of Chhattisgarh. On Saturday, the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jagdalpur convicted all the 10 accused facing trial. However, the decision on how much punishment will be given to the culprits is yet to come.
After the final arguments in the case were completed, the special court had reserved its decision. Initially the verdict was to be pronounced on August 31, but it was later extended to September 5.
Parivartan Yatra was attacked in 2013
On 25 May 2013, Naxalites had targeted Congress' Parivartan Yatra in Jheeram Valley located in Darbha area of Bastar. This journey was returning from Sukma to Jagdalpur. Meanwhile, Naxalites surrounded the convoy and carried out explosions and indiscriminate firing.
Many people, including the then state Congress president Nandkumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel, senior leader Mahendra Karma, former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla and Congress leader Uday Mudaliar, lost their lives in the attack.
According to judicial records, 27 people died in this incident, while 38 people were injured.
NIA had filed chargesheet in 2014
After preliminary investigation of the incident, the investigation of the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The investigating agency had filed the chargesheet in the special court on September 25, 2014.
The NIA had alleged the role of various cadres and military units of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the attack.
During the hearing of the case, the prosecution presented documents and other evidence before the court. During this period, statements of 101 witnesses were recorded.
Case against these 10 accused
The case was registered in the court against Pramila Modiam, Chaitu Lekam alias Munna, Sumitra alias Sumitra Punem Modiam, Mukka Mandvi, Kosa Kawasi alias Kosaram, Ayata Markam, Madkami Deva, Joga Madkami, Banjami Sanna alias Chamru alias Denga and Mahadev Nag.
Advocate Arvind Chaudhary appeared on behalf of the accused.
Prosecution under many serious sections
The case was prosecuted under sections 147, 148, 149, 341, 121, 121-A, 122, 307, 302, 427, 396, 397 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Apart from this, various sections of the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were also imposed.
Now the focus is on punishment
After all the 10 accused have been convicted, now the attention is on the punishment to be awarded by the court. After the detailed order comes out, it will be clear under which sections the court found the accused guilty and which evidence was used as the basis of the decision.
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