Una flogging case verdict: 5 convicted, release likely as sentence served

Veraval | Gujarat —A decade after the shocking public flogging of Dalit youths in Gujarat’s Una sent shockwaves across the nation, a local court has finally delivered its verdict—closing a painful chapter, but opening fresh debate on justice and accountability.

The Veraval Sessions Court in Gir Somnath on Monday convicted five men for their role in the brutal 2016 assault that saw Dalit youths stripped and beaten in public in Mota Samadhiyala village. The incident, widely referred to as the Una flogging case, had become a flashpoint for Dalit rights movements across India.

Pronouncing a detailed 340-page judgment, Sessions Judge Pandya held the accused—Ramesh Jadav, Rakesh Joshi, Pramod Goswami, Nagji Daya and Balwant Goswami—guilty of a premeditated attack and acts of torture.

The court sentenced all five convicts to five years’ imprisonment under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Additional sentences include three years under IPC Sections 523 and 524, and two years under Sections 342 and 504, along with a fine of ₹5,000 each.

However, in a twist that has triggered mixed reactions, the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently. As the convicts have already spent over six years in jail during trial, they are deemed to have completed their sentence—effectively clearing the way for their release after due legal procedures.

“This verdict is historic in terms of conviction, but the effective release of the accused raises serious questions,” said a social activist familiar with the case. “For the victims, justice feels incomplete.”

The 2016 incident had drawn nationwide outrage after videos surfaced showing Dalit youths being tied to a vehicle, stripped and flogged for allegedly skinning a dead cow—an act they said was part of their traditional occupation. The case had become a symbol of caste-based violence and triggered widespread protests, including a massive Dalit uprising across Gujarat.

Legal experts noted that while the conviction under the Atrocities Act is significant, the concurrent sentencing structure has diluted the punitive impact. “It underscores the gap between legal justice and societal expectations,” one lawyer commented.

Security was tightened in and around the court premises and sensitive areas of the district to prevent any law and order issues following the verdict. Authorities remained on alert amid concerns over potential unrest.

For the victims and their families, the judgment brings closure—but not necessarily solace. “We waited ten years for this day,” a relative of one victim said. “But seeing the accused walk free so soon is painful.”

CASE DETAILS: 

On 11 July 2016, when Scheduled Caste people were skinning an animal in the village of Mota Samadhiyala in Una, Saurashtra, some cowherds arrived and tied four Scheduled Caste people to the back of a car and brutally beat them up, accusing them of killing a dead animal and committing cow slaughter. The incident raised serious questions about law and order and social harmony. The verdict in this issue, which has been a national issue, has come after ten years.

After a long legal process, the court has convicted 5 accused in this case, while 37 accused in the same case have been acquitted due to lack of evidence, including four policemen.

The court sentenced Ramesh Jadav, Rakesh Joshi, Pramod Goswami, Nagji Daya and Balwant Goswami, who were convicted by the court. All five accused have been found guilty of inhuman atrocities and premeditated attacks on Dalit youth. There is curiosity across the state regarding the sentence for this incident that took place in the year 2016. However, today’s decision on the sentence will prove to be the one that will determine the direction of the entire case and its impact on the society.

It is worth mentioning that after the Una incident, there were huge protests across the country including Gujarat. After almost ten years, this case has reached its final stage.

37 accused including policemen acquitted

A total of 42 accused were charged in this case, out of which 37 have been acquitted by the court. It is worth mentioning that the court has also acquitted four policemen who were under investigation for negligence in duty at the time of the incident. The acquitted policemen include Kanchanben, then PSI Pandey, then Una PSO Karshanbhai and Nirmal Jhala (who has passed away). Out of the total accused, two accused have died during the trial.