Ten Convicted in Chhattisgarhs Jhiram Valley Attack Sentenced to Death

Jagdalpur, September 16 (Daily Kiran) : A special court in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, has sentenced ten members of the banned CPI (Maoist) organization to death for their involvement in the infamous Jhiram Valley attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed that all ten were found guilty under various charges.

On September 5, 2026, the trial court had already convicted the ten accused, postponing the sentencing until now. The court’s decision was announced on Wednesday, marking a significant development in this high-profile case.

The incident dates back to May 25, 2013, when a planned Maoist attack targeted a convoy of Congress leaders during the “Parivartan Yatra” in the Darbha area of Bastar district, specifically along NH-221. The NIA’s investigation revealed that armed cadres from the CPI (Maoist) conspired to attack senior Congress officials and security personnel in collaboration with local committees.

The attack involved indiscriminate gunfire, grenade explosions, and an IED detonation. It resulted in the immediate deaths of 24 civilians and police officers, with over 35 others sustaining serious injuries. Tragically, three of the injured later succumbed to their wounds during treatment.

Following the assault, the Maoist cadres reportedly looted weapons, ammunition, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and other items from both the deceased and the injured.

The NIA filed charges against a total of 39 individuals in connection with the case. The first charge sheet was submitted on September 25, 2014, for nine of the accused, followed by a supplementary charge sheet for 30 others on September 28, 2015. The initial trial concluded for the ten convicted individuals, with testimonies from 101 witnesses presented by the prosecution. One of the accused died while in judicial custody during the proceedings.

The NIA’s investigation underscored that the Maoist cadres aimed to target senior Congress leaders and security personnel as part of their tactical counter-offensive campaign during the Parivartan Yatra.