India
oi-Ashish Rana
A special NIA court in Jagdalpur has convicted all 10 surviving accused of 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist Attack that killed 27 people including many senior Congress leaders. Now the court will announce the punishment on 16 September and now this latest development has raised a question whether the alleged security failures were investigated properly or not.
A Jagdalpur NIA court convicted 10 men for the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist Attack killing 27 people, including Congress leaders; punishment is scheduled for September 16, prompting Congress to question the probe’s scope and security lapses, while BJP defends the NIA’s investigation.
10 Accused Convicted After 13-Year Trial
The incident occurred on 25 May 2013 when Maoists ambushed Congress Parivartan yatra in Jhiram Ghati, Bastar. NIA said 27 people including 10 police personnel were killed and 38 injured. The attackers also looted weapons, ammunition and communication equipment.
The court also found the accused guilty under provisions of the IPC, UAPA, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act. There were 11 accused who faced trial but one died in the long proceedings. The prosecution examined 101 witnesses and relied on documentary and forensic evidence. The NIA filed its first chargesheet in September 2014 and a supplementary chargesheet in September 2015.
Congress Questions Wider Conspiracy
Now congress leaders have welcomed this conviction but said it didn’t answer the larger conspiracy. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel said the outcome “incomplete justice” and questioned why senior alleged conspirators and officials responsible for security arrangements had not been brought before the court.
Former Deputy CM TS Singh Deo also raise his voice against security deployment during the ambush attack. “The firing continued for 45 minutes to an hour. Where was our police force?” he asked.
BJP Defends NIA Investigation
BJP rejected the criticism and said the conviction vindicated the NIA’s investigation. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that the case was transferred to NIA under Congress-led government in the Centre.
BJP MP Santosh Pandey also questioned Bhupesh Baghel that why these evidence were not presented before the court during his tenure of government.
