20 get life over Assam lynching of duo mistaken for child-lifters

way2barak April 25: The Nagaon District and Sessions Court has sentenced 20 convicts to life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the mob lynching of two youths, Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath.

Senior advocate Bijan Mahajan, representing the victims’ families, said, “The 20 convicts have been awarded life imprisonment under Section 302 IPC, along with a fine of ₹20,000 each.”

The court had, on April 20, delivered its verdict in the case, convicting 20 of the 45 accused and acquitting 25. The quantum of punishment was pronounced subsequently. Family members of the victims said they were not satisfied with the verdict. Das’s father said they would consult their lawyers on the next steps, including approaching the High Court.

The families had sought the death penalty. “If this is not a ‘rarest of rare’ case, then what is? We waited eight years for the verdict but did not get the outcome we hoped for,” a family member said.