News Desk: The trial in the sensational Abhi–Nil murder case, which had shaken the entire state, has reached its final stage (Abhi Nil Murder Case Trial). Proceedings related to the brutal killing of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das in Dokmoka of Karbi Anglong district are now nearing conclusion at the Nagaon District and Sessions Court.
The case, registered as Case No. 53/18, has already completed crucial stages, including the recording of witness testimonies and statements of the accused. According to the families of the victims, the examination of all 71 witnesses has been completed, and the statements of the accused have also been fully recorded. At present, only the final arguments by lawyers representing both sides remain.
For the hearing of final arguments, the Nagaon court has fixed February 5, 6, and 7. Accordingly, from today, the final phase of hearings in the Abhi–Nil murder case, keenly awaited by people across Assam, will begin. Once arguments from both sides are concluded, the court is expected to proceed toward delivering its final verdict.
It is noteworthy that 48 accused were arrested in connection with this state-shaking murder case. However, during legal scrutiny, three of the accused were found to be juveniles at the time of the incident. As a result, final arguments and hearings will be conducted for 45 accused, while the cases involving the juveniles were dealt with separately under juvenile justice provisions.
Details of the Abhi–Nil Murder Case
The year was 2018, and the date was the ill-fated June 8. Two young men from Guwahati, Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, had travelled to the scenic hills of Karbi Anglong to enjoy nature. While returning in the evening, a false rumour spread alleging that their black Scorpio vehicle was carrying “witches” or child kidnappers.
Acting on this baseless rumour, a mob stopped their vehicle midway and launched a brutal attack on the two youths. Despite repeatedly pleading for their lives and revealing their identities, Abhijit and Nilotpal were shown no mercy. Both lost their lives on the spot due to the merciless assault.
The incident triggered massive outrage not only across Assam but also internationally, with protests reported even in countries like Russia. Public anger erupted statewide, with widespread demands for the harshest punishment for those responsible. Nearly seven years after the incident, the trial has finally reached the stage of final judgment.
Case Details
On June 8, 2018, a mob in Panjuri village under Dokmoka Police Station in Karbi Anglong district brutally lynched nature-loving youths Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath from Guwahati. After videos of the incident went viral on social media, protests erupted across the country and abroad, with strong demands for strict punishment for the perpetrators.
From Upper Assam to Lower Assam, people took to the streets demanding justice for Abhi and Nil.
Subsequently, police registered Case No. 33/2018 at the local police station and carried out a swift investigation, arresting 48 accused. Of them, 45 were sent to jail, while three accused, being minors at the time of the incident, were sent to a juvenile home in Jorhat, and their cases were tried separately under the Juvenile Justice system.
Within a short span, investigating officers of Dokmoka Police Station submitted an 800-page charge sheet before the Diphu court.
Later, following a petition filed by the parents of Abhijit and Nilotpal in the Gauhati High Court seeking transfer of the trial, the case was shifted from the Diphu court to the Nagaon court on September 4, 2018.
It has also been learned that senior advocate Sanchas Saraniya of the Gauhati High Court will present arguments on behalf of the accused in this landmark case.
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