Nagaon (Assam ), 24 April (HS): In a significant development following the sentencing in the widely discussed Abhi-Neel lynching case, defence counsel Manas Sarania on Friday stated that the 20 convicts will approach the High Court challenging the trial court’s verdict.

Earlier in the day, the Nagaon District and Sessions Court sentenced all 20 convicts to life imprisonment in connection with the case. The court also imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on each of the convicts after a prolonged legal process.

The same court had, on April 20, held all 20 accused guilty, paving the way for the sentencing order. The case had triggered widespread public outrage across the state at the time of the incident.

Notably, the incident dates back to June 8, 2018, when a mob brutally lynched two youths, Abhijit Nath and Nilotpal Das, at Dokmoka Panjuri village in Karbi Anglong district.

Meanwhile, family members of the victims expressed dissatisfaction over the quantum of punishment, indicating that they were not fully content with the court’s decision.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash