LUCKNOW: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court of Lucknow convicted 28 of the 30 accused in the high-profile Chandan Gupta murder case. Victim Chandan Gupta alias Abhishek Gupta was shot during the Tiranga Yatra, organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), as part of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2018 in Kasganj district.
The court acquitted two accused giving them the benefit of doubt in the dearth of evidence. The quantum of punishment is expected to be delivered on Friday. Chandan, an activist of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, accompanied by his brother Vivek, was riding a motorbike during the yatra.
As per the prosecution, as the yatra reached Government Girls College on Tehsil Road, it was ambushed by a group of anti-social elements from Muslim community. The attackers obstructed the procession and snatched the tricolour mounted on the motor bikes, threw it on the ground while shouting pro-Pakistan slogans.
The main accused, Saleem, targeted Chandan Gupta. He sustained a bullet injury and was declared dead upon reaching the hospital.
The violence continued for the next few days. In the wake of the anti-national nature of the incident, the local police commenced the probe into it and handed it over to NIA later due to the complexities involved in the case.
The NIA filed the initial chargesheet against main accused Saleem, Naseem, Waseem and 27 other accused persons on April 26, 2018.
CASE TIMELINE
January 2, 2025: 28 convicted in 2018 Kasganj communal clashes leading to Chandan Gupta's murder
September 2, 2019: Framing of the charges begins
July, 2018: Kasganj Police filed a chargesheet adding Section 124A (sedition), case transferred to the NIA Court
April 26, 2018: First chargesheet filed
January 26, 2018: Chandan Gupta sustains gunshot during Tiranga Yatra on R-Day
Convicts taken into custody