Dantewada court acquits all 13 accused in Maoist attack case

Raipur: A Dantewada district court on Tuesday acquitted all the 13 accused due to lack of evidence in a Maoist attack case in 2010 in which 33 people, including security personnel were killed when Naxals allegedly blew up a bus in Sukma district of Chhatisgarh. "Thirteen accused in the May 17 attack in which 33 people, including police personnel, lost their lives, were acquitted by the court of Additional Sessions Judge Anita Dahariya at Dantewada," defence lawyer Bichen Pondi told PTI.

"The prosecution failed to provide substantial evidence that could have led to their conviction," he said. On May 17, 2010, Maoists allegedly blew up a bus heading towards Sukma from Dantewada near Chingawaram rivulet, triggering a landmine blast, in which 33 people, including police personnel were killed, while 20 others were injured. "Fifteen suspects were arrested after the incident, out of which two died during the course of hearings," he said. Three months ago, the Dantewada district court had acquitted all ten arrested, due to lack of evidence, in connection with the 2010 Tadmetla attack case, in which 76 security personnel were killed in Dantewada district. PTI