The defense is challenging the death sentences of 10 convicts who were convicted in the case of Jhiram Valley massacre before the High Court. It was supported by lawyer for the defense Arvind Chaudhary who after speaking to the probation authorities of the convicted persons, filed the appeal.
The appeal has now taken this case to the High Court, where the defence is hoping to receive a sign-up inviting them to go to the next stage in court. The High Court has yet to issue a final opinion on the appeal.
The development comes after the verdict on October 25, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that had sent out 10 accused for murder in the case to their death. However, the defence is unhappy with the lower court’s verdict, and has invoked the right to go to a superior court.
The judicial process allows a party to appeal a lower court decision to an appropriate higher court if it disagrees with that decision. The High Court may on the first look, hear the appeal and thereafter issue summonses to the parties involved so they can give their views.
The latest development is therefore not an end, but a fore development of the appellate proceedings. The defence has filed its challenge, but the High Court is yet to hear the matter and decide on the merits of the appeal.
In 2013, several political leaders and others were murdered in the Jhiram Valley of Chhattisgarh. It has been one of the major criminal investigations in the state.
The defence is waiting for action and other directions from the High Court for now. This will likely prove to be dependant on the course of action taken by the court in the appeal, and on the date of the appearance in court for the appeal case.