Nagaon: The trial in the Abhi–Nil mob lynching case, which had shaken the entire state, is now moving towards its conclusion. This information was shared with the media in Nagaon today by senior advocate Bijon Mahajan of the Gauhati High Court (Abhi–Nil Lynching Case Verdict Update).
Mahajan stated that the prosecution’s arguments were completed in court today on behalf of Abhi and Nil’s father.
He further informed that the court will hear the arguments of the defence counsel on February 26 and 27. “After that, the case will move towards the final stage of judgment,” he said.
The senior advocate also highlighted a crucial issue raised during the proceedings. According to him, some witnesses had earlier named individuals involved in the heinous incident before both the police and the court. However, at a later stage, they retracted their statements while deposing before the court.
“We have argued before the court that retracting a confession made before a magistrate is not legally valid. Therefore, the accused can still be convicted,” Mahajan said, expressing hope that those responsible for the brutal crime would receive the harshest punishment.
Statement from Abhi–Nil’s Fathers
On the other hand, Abhi and Nil’s fathers expressed satisfaction with the arguments presented by the advocate.
“We are hopeful that the court will award exemplary punishment to the guilty,” they said, adding that they expect the verdict to be delivered in April.
The Incident Revisited
It may be recalled that on June 8, 2018, in Panjuri village under Dokmoka Police Station in Karbi Anglong district, an enraged mob brutally lynched two young nature enthusiasts from Guwahati — Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath.
After videos of the horrific incident spread across social media, protests erupted not only across Assam but also in different parts of the country and the world. There were widespread demands for strict punishment for those involved.
From Upper Assam to Lower Assam, people took to the streets demanding justice for Abhi and Nil.
Subsequently, the police registered a case at the local police station and carried out a swift investigation. A total of 48 individuals were arrested and sent to jail. Among them, one was a juvenile and was sent to a juvenile home in Jorhat, where his trial proceeded before the Juvenile Justice Board. Later, two more individuals were also found to be juveniles.
The investigating officers of Dokmoka Police Station submitted an 800-page chargesheet before the Diphu court within a short period.
Meanwhile, based on a petition filed before the Gauhati High Court by the parents of Abhi and Nil seeking transfer of the trial from Diphu court, the case was shifted to the Nagaon court on September 4, 2018.
Furthermore, following demands from the people of Assam and from the victims’ fathers that the case be tried in a fast-track court, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Manjit Bhuyan of the Gauhati High Court directed the District and Sessions Judge of Nagaon to conduct the trial in a fast-track court.
“I Had Only One Son; They Beat Him to Death. Now I Will Live by the Court’s Verdict”: Abhi’s Father