45 sentenced to life imprisonment in 23-year-old murder case in Gujarat’s Deesa

A Deodar Additional District Court has sentenced 45 accused to life imprisonment in connection with a 23-year-old case of violence between two groups over a land sale dispute in Deesa’s Dhana village of Banaskantha.

The incident occurred on September 25, 2002, when a violent clash broke out between two groups in Dhana village over farmland, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, Valaji Zhalaji Patel from Ramsan village and Chenaji Vihaji Thakor from Dhana village. Additionally, nine others sustained serious injuries during the clash.

Following cross-complaints filed by both parties at Agathala Police Station, police registered a case against 45 individuals from both groups. The case was initially heard in Palanpur Sessions Court, later moved to Deesa Sessions Court, and has been under trial in the Deodar Additional Sessions Court since 2015.

On Monday, the Additional Sessions Judge, after hearing the arguments of the public prosecutor, convicted 45 of the accused under charges of murder and attempt to murder. 

The court sentenced each of the convicts to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹500 for murder charges, and 10 years imprisonment with a fine of ₹3,000 for attempt to murder charges. Out of the 45 accused four of them died during the trial proceedings of the court in the case.

The verdict reportedly left the courtroom in silence as the judgment was announced. Four of the accused had passed away during the trial.

Accused sentenced:

Ganeshji Patel

Laxmanji Patel

Chelaji Patel

Ganeshji R Patel

Ramji Patel

Chelaji V Patel

Ajiji Patel

Rupani Patel

Hemtaji Patel

Bhalaji Patel

Dalaji Patel

Khema Patel

Bhalaji R Patel

Chela Patel

Ramda Patel

Lala Lohar

Jerup Patel

Ashok Thakor

Gagaji Thakor

Hasaji Thakor

Dashrathji Thakor

Dharamji Thakor

Jeraji Thakor

Meruja Thakor

Bhagaji Thakor

Talsaji Thakor

Narshaji Thakor

Shravanji Thakor

Ramanji Thakor

Natvarji Thakor

Raichandji Thakor

Parasji Thakor

Bharatji Thakor

Valaji Thakor

Shardaben Thakor

Mori Thakor

Deceased accused during trial:

Jodhji Thakor

Ishaji Thakor

Phulaji Thakor

Bhalaji Patel