For 18 years Sister Awaits Justice for Lynched Brother in Assam's Tezpur

Tezpur: The brutal lynching of two Guwahati boys in Karbi Anglong shooked the entire nation. Though the government has assured justice to the family members of the deceased Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath, another woman in Tezpur is waiting for justice for his brother for the last 18 years.

An incident took place on January 12, 2000, in broad daylight, at a public place, between two groups of youths in Guwahati. The injured sustained simple injuries and another identified as Bidyut Chakraborty sustained an injury, but remained unnoticed until diagnosed later on as head injury and died at the GNRC Hospital, Guwahati.

Sharing her ordeal, the sister of Bidyut, Dipti Singha said, “The Karbi Anglong incident reminded me of my brother. My brother was lynched by three youths from Tezpur. The law and the Indian Constitution has failed my family…18 years have gone by and we are still waiting for justice.”

The sister further shared that on January 12, 2000, at around 11 am, Bidyut along with his two companions Obed Nag, Bashab Bora were traveling by a 709 Bus, namely, Trimurty, bearing registration No AS 12 A 1502.

“Upon reaching Goroimari, three employees of the said bus, Ajit Baruah, Tulsi Boro and Kakon Boro allegedly assaulted the trio with bamboo sticks. Bidyut was severely injured during the attack and was sent to the GNRC hospital in Guwahati for urgent medical treatment,” she said.

An FIR was lodged by Bidyut’s mother Niru Chakraborty. Tezpur PS Case No. 33/2000, dated January 12, 2000, u/s 341/325/307/34 of the IPC was registered to vide GD Entry No.613, January 12, 2000.

“The handyman first attacked Obed, on the back of his head and then the assailants assaulted them with sticks. Later, a few local boys intervened and the matter was sorted out without being reported to the police. They even returned back home taking another bus,” said the sister.

On completion of the investigation, SI Loknath Deka of Salonibari OP laid a charge-sheet under section 341/323/307/302/34 of the IPC against the accused persons showing the accused Kakon Boro as absconding.

The prosecution had examined 13 witnesses, while the defense cross-examined them. “Later, the accused persons were pleaded not guilty,” added the woman.

Although it was proved before the Court that victims Obed, Bashab and deceased Bidyut sustained simple injuries by blunt weapons on the vital part of their body, but, there was no answer, on evidence, proffered by the prosecution, as to the identity of the assailants.

“As the prosecution miserably failed to prove the charges labeled against the three accused persons, beyond all reasonable doubt, the case was disposed of,” the sister.

It may be mentioned that the incident took place in the year 2000, however, due to the lack of proper social networking sites and exposure to online media, this incident couldn't make its presence in the mainstream media.

Also, a similar incident was also reported recently at Karbi Anglong's Dokmoka region on June 8.

Following which Assam Police had recently submitted an 844-page chargesheet and a 104-page case diary on June 8, 2018, Dokmoka mob lynching incident before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court at Diphu.

Read the Judgement report here: http://sonitpurjudiciary.gov.in/Judgement/SESSIONS%20CASE%20NO.%2025%20OF%202003,%2011-06-2014.pdf