29 People, Including Senior Congress Leaders, Were Killed; Maoists Attacked the Parivartan Yatra Convoy in 2013
Jagdalpur: (sdna) After nearly 13 years, a major verdict has been delivered in the much-discussed Jhiram Valley Naxal attack case in Chhattisgarh. On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Special NIA Court in Jagdalpur sentenced all 10 accused convicted in the case to death.
Earlier, on September 5, 2026, the court had found all 10 accused facing trial guilty. Following the conviction, the court had fixed September 16 as the date for pronouncing the sentence.
Attack Took Place on May 25, 2013
On May 25, 2013, a convoy of the Congress party’s Parivartan Yatra was passing through Jhiram Valley in Chhattisgarh when Maoists targeted the convoy in an attack. Several senior Congress leaders and other people were killed in the incident.
Those killed included then Pradesh Congress Committee president Nand Kumar Patel, senior leader Mahendra Karma, former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla, former MLA Uday Mudaliyar, and Nand Kumar Patel’s son Dinesh Patel, among others. Security personnel were also killed in the attack.
Lengthy Legal Process
The investigation into the attack was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The investigation and court proceedings continued for several years. The prosecution presented a large number of documents and witnesses before the court.
During the trial, statements of 101 witnesses were recorded. Initially, proceedings were conducted against 11 accused. However, one accused died during the trial, after which proceedings continued against the remaining 10 accused.
All 10 Accused Convicted
On September 5, the Special NIA Court had convicted all 10 remaining accused in the case. Subsequently, on Wednesday, the court sentenced all 10 convicts to death.
Following the verdict, the Jhiram Valley attack has once again become a subject of national discussion. The case has remained one of the most prominent incidents associated with Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh.
Further Legal Proceedings After Death Sentence
The case does not legally come to an end with the pronouncement of a death sentence. The convicts have the right to appeal before the High Court, and further judicial proceedings are required in cases involving capital punishment.
For the families of the political leaders, security personnel and other people killed in the attack nearly 13 years ago, Wednesday’s verdict marks a significant stage in a long-running judicial process.
(SDNA)
