Eight Years Later: The Lynching Case of Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das

Fri Apr 24 2026 03:37:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Revisiting the brutal lynching of two men in Assam, India, and the ongoing quest for justice as court verdicts shake the victims' families and the community.

In 2018, Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das were lynched in Assam based on false rumors of child abduction. Recently, a court convicted 20 individuals in the case while acquitting 25 others, leading to renewed frustration from the victims' families and highlighting the ongoing issues of mob violence and misinformation in India.

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

One summer afternoon in 2018, two men set out on a road trip into the Karbi Anglong region of India's northeastern Assam state. They never came back.

Abhijeet Nath, a 30-year-old businessman, and Nilotpal Das, a 29-year-old musician, were driving from the city of Guwahati when they were surrounded by a mob that suspected them of being child kidnappers and beat to death.

The case drew national attention, reflecting a wider pattern of violence at the time as rumors about child-abduction gangs spread rapidly through WhatsApp messages and viral videos, fueling suspicion of strangers and mob attacks.

Nearly eight years later, the lynching is back in the headlines as a court in Assam convicted 20 people for murder and unlawful assembly, but acquitted 25 others due to lack of evidence. The remaining accused have the option to appeal against the verdict.

For the victims' families, the ruling is disheartening, particularly the acquittals that leave them seeking further legal options and government support. Das's father expressed dissatisfaction, stating they would consult with their lawyer about strict punishment for those convicted.

The court's findings noted the local community's involvement in the attack. While 20 were convicted, families felt the justice was lacking as numerous suspects remain free.

The 2018 incident brought to light the significant issue of misinformation and its impact on public consciousness in India, with many incidents of lynching occurring spurred by similar rumors across various states.

As the verdict highlights the need for better handling of misinformation, the families of Nath and Das face the continued pain of their loss, knowing justice has been a long, complicated journey that doesn’t alter their reality.