Story perspectives

Jagdalpur Court Sentences 10 Maoists to Death

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 10:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

NIA Court Death Sentences

A special NIA court in Jagdalpur sentenced ten Maoist convicts to death on September 16, 2026.
The 2013 Jhiram Valley ambush killed 27, including Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and Mahendra Karma.
Two convicted women were identified as Pramila Modiyam and Sumitra Punem Modiyam.
Defense lawyer Arvind Choudhary said the verdict will be challenged in the High Court.
Convicts have 30 days to appeal; the trial recorded statements from 101 prosecution witnesses.

Summary

Chief Minister Praises Verdict

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the death-penalty verdict as a “victory of justice”.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel condemned the ruling, calling it incomplete justice and blaming masterminds.
Congress eyewitness Malkit Singh Gaidu demanded a narco-test of CM Raman Singh and others.
Tulika Karma questioned why surrendered leaders like Barse Deva were omitted from charges.
Human-rights group PUCL warned the death sentences could worsen inequality and marginalise the poorest.

History

Historical Context

Born from the 1967 Naxalbari uprising and the 2004 CPI (Maoist) merger, the insurgents killed 76 CRPF personnel in the April 6 2010 Dantewada ambush—the deadliest attack on Indian forces. The shock prompted Operation Green Hunt, sending tens of thousands of troops. Now a Jagdalpur NIA court sentenced ten militants to death, praised by MP Vishnu Deo Sai and condemned by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

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NIA Court Death Sentences

A special NIA court in Jagdalpur sentenced ten Maoist convicts to death on September 16, 2026.
The 2013 Jhiram Valley ambush killed 27, including Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and Mahendra Karma.
Two convicted women were identified as Pramila Modiyam and Sumitra Punem Modiyam.
Defense lawyer Arvind Choudhary said the verdict will be challenged in the High Court.
Convicts have 30 days to appeal; the trial recorded statements from 101 prosecution witnesses.

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