Jagdalpur Court Convicts Ten in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal Attack

Ten years after a brutal ambush decimated the Chhattisgarh Congress leadership, a special NIA court in Jagdalpur has returned a guilty verdict against ten individuals. The ruling marks a milestone in a case that continues to fuel intense political friction between the state’s rival parties over the depth of the investigation.

Editorial·September 5, 2026·reads: 3,592

Jagdalpur Court Convicts Ten in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal Attack

The court found the accused guilty under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Arms Act. While the judge deferred the sentencing until September 16, the conviction has already reignited debates regarding the scope of the probe.

Congress leaders including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo remain critical of the process, asserting that the investigation failed to unearth an alleged broader political conspiracy. They argue that the primary architects of the attack and the systemic security lapses that enabled it remain unaddressed. Conversely, BJP representatives maintain that the NIA’s work has finally secured justice for the victims, framing the verdict as a necessary closure for the state.