A rumour, a lynching in India and a long wait for justice

Eight years after a tragic incident in Assam’s Karbi Anglong region, the case has once again captured public interest. A local court recently convicted 20 individuals in connection with the 2018 deaths of Abhijeet Nath, a 30-year-old businessman, and Nilotpal Das, a 29-year-old musician. The verdict, delivered on Friday, marks the first step in determining their sentences, though the families of the victims remain unconvinced.

In June 2018, the two men embarked on a road trip from Guwahati, heading to Karbi Anglong—a journey of approximately 180 kilometers. By evening, they were in a village where a mob, believing them to be “child kidnappers,” attacked and killed them. The event sparked national debate, highlighting a surge in violent incidents driven by social media rumors about child-abduction gangs.

A verdict and lingering questions

The judgment, issued on Monday, relies on witness accounts and police records to reconstruct the attack. Around 150-200 villagers gathered, with at least 50 actively participating in the assault. However, the court did not confirm a definitive motive for their visit to the village. Nath’s parents described the men as adventurous travelers who often explored together, while police claimed they stopped in Panjuri Kachari to seek directions.

“This is not a simple case of murder. The involvement of the entire locality is established from the evidence on record,” stated the sessions court.

Despite the convictions, the families argue that the punishment falls short. Gopal Das, father of the victim Nilotpal Das, expressed dissatisfaction, stating they would seek the strictest penalties for the accused. “We are not satisfied,” he said, adding that legal action would follow.

The spread of fear

The incident unfolded against a backdrop of widespread panic fueled by WhatsApp messages and viral videos. These digital whispers, often alleging the existence of child-abduction gangs, stoked suspicion of strangers. In some cases, the rumors led to immediate mob violence, echoing similar tragedies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. By 2024, 48 people had been charged, with three minors transferred to a juvenile court. Of the remaining 45 accused, 25 were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The federal government initially denied a direct link between the lynching and online rumors, which drew criticism from lawmakers. Concerns over “fake news” and the role of WhatsApp in spreading misinformation gained traction, as the Supreme Court examined the issue. Meanwhile, the victims’ families continue their pursuit of justice, emphasizing the need for stricter accountability in such cases.