Nearly four years after a mob lynching incident in Madhya Pradesh claimed the life of a Maharashtra man over allegations of cattle smuggling, a court in Narmadapuram district on Friday sentenced all 14 accused to life imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan in Seoni Malwa in connection with the August 3, 2022, killing of Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Amravati in Maharashtra.
The court found 14 men guilty in the case and sentenced them to life imprisonment under charges related to murder, attempt to murder, rioting, and wrongful restraint.
What Happened on August 3, 2022?
According to the prosecution, the incident took place near Barakhad village in Seoni Malwa at around 1 am when a truck carrying cattle from Maharashtra was intercepted by a group of people.
Police said the mob allegedly suspected illegal cattle transportation and attacked the truck driver and two other occupants.
Nazir Ahmad sustained serious injuries during the assault and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Two others travelling in the vehicle survived.
A police investigation was launched after the incident, and a case was registered against 14 accused.
Survivor Claimed Mob Attacked Without Asking Questions
During the investigation, truck driver Sheikh Lala, who survived the attack, alleged that a large mob stopped the vehicle and assaulted them without warning.
“Around 50 to 60 people blocked the road and started beating us without asking any questions,” he had reportedly told police.
MP Court Convicted 14 in Mob Lynching Case !
— काश/if Kakvi (@KashifKakvi) June 13, 2026
मध्य प्रदेश ने सिवनी मालवा तहसील में 3 अगस्त 2022 को गो तस्करी के आरोप में अमरावती (महाराष्ट्र) निवासी नजीर अहमद को भीड़ ने पीट पीट कर मार दिया (मॉब लिंचिंग) था।
घटना के चार साल बाद शुक्रवार को सिवनी मालवा की एडीजे कोर्ट ने 14… pic.twitter.com/dMSwfQmfAx
He claimed the attackers used sticks and iron rods and continued assaulting them until they were seriously injured.
A video of the incident had also surfaced at the time, allegedly showing members of the mob beating the victims while raising slogans. According to reports, the intervention of some locals helped save the lives of the two surviving occupants.
Protest Outside Court After Verdict
Emotional scenes were witnessed outside the court after the judgment was announced.
As police began taking the convicts to jail, several family members gathered at the court premises and protested against the verdict. Some relatives reportedly lay down in front of the police vehicle to stop it from leaving.
Eyewitnesses said there was pushing and jostling between police personnel and family members as they attempted to block the transfer.
Police later brought the situation under control and escorted all 14 convicts to jail amid tight security.
Families Claim Convicts Were Trying to Protect Cattle
Relatives of the convicted men expressed disappointment over the court’s decision and claimed the accused had gone to the spot to protect cattle.
“Our children had gone to save cows, but now they have been punished,” some family members told reporters after the verdict.
However, the court held all 14 accused guilty after a judicial process that lasted nearly three years.
Following the judgment, additional police personnel were deployed in and around the court premises to avoid any law-and-order issues.
