Chandan Gupta murder: NIA court hands life sentences to all 28 accused in Kasganj case

In a landmark judgment, a special NIA court has sentenced all 28 accused in the 2018 Kasganj Tiranga Yatra murder case to life imprisonment. The court, presided over by Judge Vivekanand Saran Tripathi, convicted the accused for the murder of Chandan Gupta, also known as Abhishek Gupta, who was shot dead during the Republic Day rally on January 26, 2018. Alongside the life sentence, hefty fines were imposed, and the convicts received additional sentences for insulting the national flag.

The incident that shook Kasganj

The tragedy unfolded when a Tiranga Yatra procession reached the gates of a government girls' college. Armed individuals allegedly ambushed the rally, seizing and disrespecting the national flag while shouting anti-national slogans. According to Chandan’s father’s complaint, the attackers demanded participants chant pro-Pakistan slogans to pass. When Chandan and others resisted, they faced a hail of stones and bullets. Chandan was fatally shot by the main accused, Salim, as per the investigation.

Court proceedings and sentencing

The trial culminated with 28 accused being convicted under various charges, including murder, rioting, and sedition. Salim and six others were also convicted under the Arms Act. During sentencing, 26 accused appeared in person, while two attended via video conferencing due to their incarceration in other cases. Two accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The case involved testimony from 12 key witnesses, including Chandan’s father, his brother Vivek Gupta, and eyewitness Saurabh Pal. Despite facing immense personal and financial hardship, Vivek left his job and attended every court hearing, seeking justice for his brother.