Patna, January 31 (IANS). More than three decades later, a district court in Darbhanga has sentenced five people to life imprisonment for the Patori massacre that took place on August 8, 1994, in which two people were killed and eight were injured.
Even after 31 years have passed, the people of Darbhanga remember that incident with sadness.
Locals say the conflict was not between countries but between neighbours, which started with a land dispute and escalated into large-scale violence, an unexpected outcome at the time.
According to government lawyer Amarendra Narayan Jha, the incident occurred around 6-7 pm, when 10-12 farmers of Patori village were returning after grazing their cattle.
“They stopped to water their cattle at Gunsar pond located near the village. At the same time, dozens of armed men came from Basant village with axes, spears and guns and attacked them,” Jha said.
He said that the attackers surrounded the farmers, tried to forcibly take away their cattle, and when the farmers protested, the attackers started firing indiscriminately.
As a result, ten people were seriously injured. Ramkripal Chaudhary and Rampukar Chaudhary of Patori village suffered multiple injuries and were taken to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
Ramkripal Choudhary died shortly after recruitment, and Rampukar Choudhary died a few days later. According to the prosecutor, eight other people were treated at DMCH, and many of them still have bullet wounds on their bodies.
On August 9, 1994, the police filed an FIR against 13 named accused and 10-12 unidentified persons.
During the trial, the court found that Kausar Imam Hashmi, Ambar Imam Hashmi, Qamar Imam Hashmi (now deceased), and Raja Hashmi were directly involved in the crime.
Public prosecutor Amarendra Narayan Jha informed the court that one of the accused, Rangdar Hashmi, had absconded.
“Chargesheet was filed against the remaining 12 accused. Two more accused absconded during the trial. Five accused died during the prolonged trial of the case. The remaining five accused were convicted,” he said.
On January 31, 2026, Third Additional District and Sessions Judge Suman Kumar Diwakar of Darbhanga Civil Court pronounced the verdict.
The convicted persons include Ambar Imam Hashmi (renowned advocate), Anjar Imam Hashmi, Raja Imam Hashmi, Mobin Hashmi and Kausar Imam Hashmi (former public prosecutor).
All five were sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
Failure to pay the fine will result in additional imprisonment of one year.
After 31 years of legal process, the families of the victims have got justice through the court’s decision.
–IANS
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