A local court in Madhya Pradesh has sentenced 14 men to life imprisonment for the 2022 mob lynching of a Muslim man, who was allegedly attacked on suspicion of cattle smuggling.
The judgment was delivered on June 12 by Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan at Seoni Malwa in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh after nearly three years of criminal trial proceedings.
The convicts include Deepak alias Baba Kevat, Ajay alias Ajju Rathore, Prakash Kaushal, Chetan Maratha, Pawan Bathav, Amar alias Bhola Bathav, Kanhaiya Bathav, Devendra alias Chhotu Kori, Sandeep alias Raja Kaushal, Anuj alias Ballu Raghuvanshi, Sanju alias Rajendra Kaushal, Akash alias Pintoli Bathav, Gaurav Yadav and Akash Sarathe.
The Court held that the prosecution had successfully established beyond reasonable doubt that the accused persons participated in the violent assault that resulted in the death of Nazir Ahmad and caused grievous injuries to two other individuals travelling with him. The judgment observed that the deceased was subjected to extreme brutality during the attack.
The incident occurred during the night of August 3, 2022, in Seoni Malwa area of Narmadapuram district. According to the prosecution case, a truck transporting cattle from Amravati in Maharashtra was intercepted near Barakhad village at around 1 am by a group of approximately 10-15 persons. After noticing the cattle being transported in the vehicle, the mob allegedly assaulted truck driver Nazir Ahmad and two other occupants on suspicion of illegal cattle transportation and cow smuggling.
Following information about the assault, police personnel reached the spot and shifted the injured victims to a hospital for medical treatment. Nazir later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, while the other two injured occupants survived.
Based on the incident, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated criminal proceedings against the accused under charges including murder and attempt to murder. After completion of the investigation, a charge sheet was filed, and the matter proceeded to trial before the Sessions Court.
After evaluating the oral testimonies, documentary evidence and other material placed on record, the court concluded that the prosecution had proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt and convicted all 14 individuals. The court subsequently imposed the sentence of life imprisonment.
The post Madhya Pradesh court sentences 14 to life imprisonment in 2022 mob lynching case appeared first on India Legal.