A special court in Kanker has sentenced five Maoists, including a high-profile couple with rewards totaling ₹33 lakh, to prison for a lethal 2015 attack on security personnel.
- Special NIA Court convicted 5 Maoists for the 2015 police ambush.
- Prabhakar and Raje Kange sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment each.
- Three other accomplices received 5-year sentences.
- Court emphasized that subversive activities threaten national security.
In a significant judicial blow to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), a special court in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, has convicted five individuals for their roles in a violent attack on police personnel in 2015. The ruling, delivered by the Special Judge (NIA Act/Scheduled Offences), marks the culmination of a decade-long legal battle to bring perpetrators of insurgency to justice.
The court sentenced Prabhakar, a Special Zonal Committee Member, and his wife Raje Kange, a Divisional Committee Member, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. Three other convicts—Ramesh Kumar Kumeti, Shyam Nath Usendi, and Chintu Ram Tamrakar—were handed five-year sentences. Notably, Prabhakar and Raje Kange were high-value targets, carrying bounties of ₹25 lakh and ₹8 lakh, respectively.
The Incident: The 2015 Ambush
The case dates back to September 7, 2015, in the Bhaisgaon-Nagramari hill area. A contingent of 49 police personnel, led by then sub-inspector Mohan Nishad of Korar police station, was conducting a search operation for Maoist hideouts. During the operation, Prabhakar, Raje Kange, and several uniformed Maoists launched a surprise attack, opening fire with the intent to kill the officers and seize their weaponry. The police force retaliated in self-defense, forcing the attackers to retreat into the forest.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this conviction serves as a critical deterrent against insurgent activities in the Bastar region. By sentencing a couple who had been active in the organization for decades—specifically Raje Kange, who served for nearly 40 years—the judiciary is signaling that no rank or tenure within a banned organization provides immunity from the law.
"Cases involving subversive activities cannot be treated like ordinary criminal cases, as they directly affect the unity and security of the nation."
The court further observed that when charges of premeditated crimes against the state are proven with solid evidence, statutory punishment is not just a rule but a necessity to maintain the rule of law and national integrity.
Sentencing Breakdown
| Convict Name | Organizational Role | Sentence Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prabhakar | Special Zonal Committee Member | 7 Years |
| Raje Kange | Divisional Committee Member | 7 Years |
| Other 3 Accused | Members/Associates | 5 Years |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the motive behind the 2015 attack?
The Maoists intended to kill the police personnel and snatch their weapons during a search operation.
2. Who were the primary targets in this case?
The primary targets were Prabhakar and Raje Kange, who held senior positions in the CPI (Maoist) organization.
