Almost eight years after a mob in Assam's Karbi Anglong region beat two men to death on suspicion of child kidnapping, a sessions court has convicted 20 people for murder. The court acquitted 25 others for lack of evidence beyond reasonable doubt. The sentencing is set for Friday.
The victims, Abhijeet Nath (30) and Nilotpal Das (29), were on a road trip in June 2018 when they were surrounded by a crowd in Panjuri Kachari village. Rumours circulating via WhatsApp had labelled them child abductors. The mob, estimated at 150-200 people, attacked them with sticks and other weapons, killing them.
The court stated, "This is not a simple case of murder. The involvement of the entire locality is established from the evidence on record."
However, the verdict has left the victims' families dissatisfied. Nilotpal's father, Gopal Das, told reporters, "We are not satisfied," adding they would consult their lawyer and seek the strictest punishment for those convicted. Abhijeet's family expressed similar concerns, saying they are considering legal options over the acquittals.
The case highlighted the wave of mob violence in India fuelled by fake news about child-abduction gangs, often spread on WhatsApp. In 2018, similar lynchings were reported in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and other states, prompting the government to warn WhatsApp to curb misinformation. The platform later introduced restrictions on message forwarding and public awareness campaigns.
While the convictions bring some closure, the acquittals have renewed debates about accountability, misinformation, and the role of technology in preventing such tragedies.