Three sentenced to death for 1981 Dehuli massacre

A special court in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced three men to death for their roles in the 1981 Dehuli massacre, where 24 Dalits were killed. The victims included women and children. This verdict comes 44 years after the tragic events that shook the nation. On March 12, Special Judge Indira Singh convicted the men, Kaptan Singh, Rampal, and Ram Sevak, all in their 60s. The court imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on each of them. The convicts were emotional when the sentence was announced. The court described the case as “rarest of the rare,” highlighting the brutal nature of the crime. It emphasized that the actions of the accused were a disgrace to law and humanity, threatening social order. The judges hoped the death penalty would serve as both a warning and a means of justice for the victims' families. The massacre happened on November 18, 1981, when a group of 17 armed men, pretending to be police officers, attacked the village. They targeted a Dalit family and, when others tried to help, they shot 24 people, including seven women and two young children. Many others were injured, and the attackers looted the village. A villager named Layak Singh filed a police complaint against 20 people for murder, attempted murder, and robbery. Over the years, the case moved through different courts. Initially started in Mainpuri, it was transferred to Allahabad before returning to Mainpuri for trial in 2024. Of the original 20 accused, 14 have died, while three have been sentenced to death. Some others are still on the run. The massacre prompted national attention, leading then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Home Minister B.P. Singh to visit the village. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then in opposition, also organized a march to support the victims’ families.