A special NIA court sentenced 28 people to life imprisonment on Friday in connection with the Kasganj violence case. Special judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi also imposed a fine of Rs 80,000 on each convict.
On January 2, the court convicted the 28 individuals for the murder of Chandan Gupta, who was shot during a communal clash in January 2018. The violence occurred during a Tiranga Yatra in Kasganj, and Gupta’s death triggered riots in the region.
The convicts were found guilty of charges including murder, attempted murder, rioting, and insulting the national flag. The case drew widespread attention after Chandan Gupta's death fueled riots in Kasganj.
The court considered both the defense and prosecution arguments before sentencing, with the prosecution seeking the harshest punishment. Two accused, Nasiruddin and Asim Qureshi, were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.
The incident occurred on January 26, 2018, when Chandan Gupta and his brother Vivek were part of a Tiranga Yatra. A group, including the accused Salim, Wasim, and Naseem, allegedly blocked the procession.
Also Read: Centre's river interlinking plan needs review: Sandhwan
When Chandan objected, the situation escalated, and stone-pelting broke out. Salim, one of the main accused, shot Chandan. Despite his injuries, Chandan was rushed to the police station and then to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
Chandan’s murder sparked three days of riots in Kasganj, leading to heightened communal tensions. His father, Sushil Gupta, filed a murder complaint.
In 2019, charges were framed against 23 individuals, with an additional seven people facing charges later that year. The charges included rioting, attempted murder, murder, wrongful restraint, and insulting the national flag. Some of the accused were also charged under the Arms Act for possessing firearms.
The trial was moved to Lucknow after initial hearings in Kasganj.
Also Read: Chaos in Pithampur: Protest over union carbide waste
Follow us
