Daijiworld Media Network - Jagdalpur

Jagdalpur, Sep 17: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jagdalpur has sentenced all 10 convicts, including two women, to death in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack case, in which 27 people, including senior Congress leaders, were killed.

The court had convicted the 10 accused on September 5 and reserved its order on the quantum of punishment. The death sentences were pronounced on Wednesday after the court considered the evidence presented during the trial. The defence has indicated that the verdict will be challenged before the High Court.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed the verdict, describing it as a victory of justice. He said the Jhiram Valley massacre remained a painful chapter in the state's history and appreciated the NIA for taking the investigation to its conclusion.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma also welcomed the judgment, saying the sentence was based on evidence collected during the NIA investigation.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, however, termed the punishment “incomplete justice” and alleged that those who masterminded the attack were still free. He questioned whether the larger conspiracy behind the massacre had been fully investigated.

The attack took place on May 25, 2013, when Maoists ambushed a Congress Parivartan Yatra convoy in Jhiram Valley in Bastar district. Among those killed were then state Congress president Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh Patel, former minister Mahendra Karma, former Union minister Vidya Charan Shukla and Congress leader Uday Mudliyar.

The NIA had named several senior Maoist leaders during its investigation, while questions over the alleged larger conspiracy have continued to be raised by Congress leaders and others. The death sentences will be subject to confirmation by the Chhattisgarh High Court.