The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the life sentences of four individuals convicted for their involvement in a 2014 Naxal ambush in Bastar, which resulted in the deaths of 15 security personnel and four civilians. The court described the attack as a serious threat to national security, highlighting its planned and organised nature.
The attack took place on March 11, 2014, near Tahakwara village, about 4 km from Tongpal police station in Bastar, along National Highway 30. A road-opening party (ROP) of CRPF and state police personnel was assigned to secure the area when 150-200 Naxal fighters from the Darbha Division, led by Surendra, Deva, and Vinod, launched a deadly ambush.
The Maoists used gunfire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target the security forces, causing severe casualties.
A civilian passerby was also killed. The attackers then looted weapons from the fallen security personnel, including:
- Six AK-47 rifles
- One INSAS light machine gun (LMG)
- Eight INSAS rifles
- Two self-loading rifles (SLRs)
Legal investigation and charges
Following the attack, Head Constable Ramcharan Thakur filed a written complaint, and police registered a case against several individuals, including Sonadhar, Shankar, Sanna, Surendra, Ganesh Uike, Raghu, Sukhram, Vinod, Sumitra, Deva, Pooja, Jamili, Masa, Naresh, Anil, Hidme, Deve, Lucky, Jogi, Budhram, along with 150-200 unidentified Maoists.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case on March 21, 2014, charging them under:
- Murder (IPC 302)
- Criminal conspiracy (IPC 120-B)
- Explosive Substances Act
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Arms Act
High Court’s view: ‘Naxal attacks are a national threat’
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal ruled that Naxal attacks are not just crimes but part of a larger movement aimed at destabilising the state.
"These attacks are pre-planned, highly organised, and politically motivated, making them far more dangerous than regular crimes like theft or murder," the court said.
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The court pointed out that:
- Naxalites use ambushes, guerrilla warfare tactics, and IEDs
- They are difficult to identify as they use fake names and intimidate villagers into silence
- In such cases, circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies are crucial for conviction
The court relied on testimonies from former Naxal members, the accused’s disclosure statements, and the recovery of incriminating materials to confirm their involvement.
Convictions and sentencing
The NIA Special Court in Jagdalpur convicted four individuals:
- Kawasi Joga (alias Pada)
- Dayaram Baghel (alias Ramesh Anna)
- Maniram Korram (alias Boti)
- Mahadev Nag
They were sentenced to life imprisonment for:
- Murder (IPC 302)
- Criminal conspiracy (IPC 120-B)
- Explosives-related offences under UAPA
dditional charges under the Arms Act
The convicts appealed the verdict, but the High Court dismissed their plea, upholding the Special Judge’s decision from February 12, 2024.
Final verdict: Strong action against Naxalism
The Chhattisgarh High Court sent a strong message against Naxalism, reinforcing that those responsible for such attacks will face strict punishment. The ruling underscores the government’s commitment to tackling insurgency in Maoist-affected areas and ensuring justice for the victims.
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