Dhemaji Blast: Gauhati High Court Acquittes the 6 Accused of All Charges
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has acquitted the accused of the 2004 Dhemaji Bomb Blast of all charges. The court gave this verdict on the morning of Wednesday. The final hearing of the case had taken place on July 24 as regards to accused challenging the order of the lower court regarding the same case.
On 15 August 2004, a bomb explosion took place in the Demaji district of the state during celebrations of Independence Day. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) allegedly triggered the blast at the Dhemaji College Playground at 8:55 AM leading to the death of a total of 18 children who were taking part in the celebrations of the Independence Day.
Earlier in 2019, the Dhemaji District and Sessions Court held a total of 6 persons guilty of the blast and convicted them of several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Some of the sections included Section 120 B and Section 302 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Four accused, namely Dipanjali Burhagohain, Muhi Handique, Jatin Dubori, and Leela Gogoi were given life imprisonment. A fine of Rs 10000 was also slapped on each of these four accused. Two additional accused were sentenced to four years of jail time and a fine of Rs 2000 each.
The Gauhati High Court had reserved its judgement in a case pertaining to the 2004 bomb blast in Dhemaji in which 18 people, mostly children, died and several were injured since July 24. The bomb blast had taken place in a playground during the celebration of Independence Day. In 2019, the Dhemaji District and Sessions court found six people guilty. These included Muhi Handique, Dipanjali Borgohain, Lila Gogoi, Jatin Dowari, Hemen Gogoi and Prasanta Bhuyan. While Hemen Gogoi and Prasanta Bhuyan were sentenced to four years imprisonment, the remaining four were sentenced to life-term imprisonment.
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