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Assam Court Hands Life Terms to 20 in 2018 Karbi Anglong Lynching Case

The decision spotlights India’s 'rarest of rare' death‑penalty test, with appeals expected.

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The court refused the prosecution’s appeal for the death penalty, stating that the case does not fall under the category of the “rarest of rare”.

Overview

  • Twenty people convicted in the Abhijit‑Nilotpal lynching were sentenced to life in prison with a Rs 20,000 fine each on Friday after the Nagaon court had convicted 20 and acquitted 25 earlier in the week.
  • The judge rejected a push for capital punishment, saying the killings did not meet the legal bar of the 'rarest of rare' cases required for the death penalty in India.
  • Relatives of Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das said life terms felt too lenient and said they would consult lawyers on taking the case to the Gauhati High Court.
  • Defence counsel said they will appeal and argued the facts fit culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while the prosecution signaled a challenge seeking harsher punishment and cited hostile witnesses and delays that weakened proof.
  • The case stems from the June 8, 2018 mob killing in Karbi Anglong after false child‑kidnapping rumours spread on social media, which led police to arrest 48 people and file charges against 45 adults.