Gopalganj, February 14, 2026: In a significant verdict in Bihar, the Gopalganj court has sentenced two men, including MALE (Communist Party of India [Marxist–Leninist] Liberation) leader and former INOS state president Jitendra Paswan, to life imprisonment for their role in the high-profile Atal Pandey murder case. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 each on the convicts, with an additional one-year imprisonment in case of non-payment.
District Judge-12, Dheeraj Kumar Mishra, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, ordering the convicts to be taken into custody immediately. The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to determine compensation for the victim’s family.
Background of the Atal Pandey Murder Case
The crime dates back to December 2, 2021, in Korea village, Vijyipur, where a violent clash erupted over a land dispute. During the confrontation, student Atal Pandey, who was studying in Lucknow, was brutally stabbed to death. Others, including Sanjay Pandey, Sintu Pandey, and Jagdamba Pandey, were seriously injured in the attack.
A total of 19 individuals were initially named in the case by the victim’s uncle, Nagendra Pandey. Previously, five accused had already received life sentences.
Evidence presented in court included a video showing Jitendra Paswan allegedly inciting the crowd and threatening the victim’s family, which the court deemed highly incriminating. The other convict, Shriram Bhagat, was found equally culpable in the attack. While the court delivered a strict verdict, the defense lawyer, Ajatshatru, announced plans to appeal the decision in the High Court.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Bihar due to its brutal nature and the involvement of political figures, highlighting concerns over law and order and political interference in criminal disputes.
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