Kanker Court Hands Naxal Couple Prabhakar and Raje Kange 7-Year Jail Terms Each A Kanker district court in Chhattisgarh has sentenced senior Naxal leader Prabhakar and his wife Raje Kange to seven years of rigorous imprisonment each, while three other Naxals received five-year terms in a case dating back to a 2015 encounter. A court in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district has delivered a major legal blow to Naxalism, sentencing senior Naxal leader Prabhakar and his wife Raje Kange to seven years each of rigorous imprisonment. The Additional District and Sessions Court also sentenced three other Naxals linked to the same case to five years each. The verdict is being described as the first major judgment against a top-ranking Naxal leader since the decline of Naxalism in the Bastar region. The entire case is rooted in a decade-old encounter that eventually laid the ground for a long legal battle. The case traces back to a 2015 encounter The case dates back to 2015, when police and Naxals clashed in the hilly terrain around Besagaon village. Following the encounter, Kanker's Korar police station registered crime number 108/2015. Police booked the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, Section 307, and the Arms Act. The trial ran for nearly a decade before the court finally delivered its verdict. Prabhakar, a Naxal face in Bastar for over four decades According to SP Nikhil Rakhecha, convicted Naxal Prabhakar had been a prominent face of Naxalism across the Bastar region for more than four decades. He held the rank of SGCM and DKSZC within the Naxal organisation, and more than 60 criminal cases were registered against him across various police stations. Police had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, reflecting his standing and the scale of activity attributed to him. Wife Raje Kange held a senior rank too Prabhakar's wife, Raje Kange, was also a senior figure in the Naxal organisation, holding the DVCM rank. She was active in the Rawghat area and was part of the Naxals' supply team, a role considered crucial for moving weapons and material for the outfit. More than 30 cases were registered against her, and police had placed a reward of Rs 8 lakh on her. Investigation and electronic evidence sealed the conviction Police are calling the verdict a major success, achieved through a meticulous investigation. The investigating officer built a strong chargesheet that also drew on electronic evidence against the Naxals. Effective prosecution and advocacy by the police ultimately persuaded the court to convict and sentence all five accused, a result being viewed as a significant legal win in the anti-Naxal campaign in Bastar. What this means for you This verdict will have a direct bearing on security in the Bastar region and on how anti-Naxal cases are pursued in court. • Across India: The verdict shows that even old Naxal violence cases can result in strict legal action. This should encourage investigating agencies elsewhere to build strong chargesheets and gather electronic evidence in pending cases. • In Bastar, Chhattisgarh: The sentencing of a four-decade veteran cadre like Prabhakar is likely to unsettle the local Naxal network. Residents and security forces in the region can expect a boost in confidence around local security. • A model for investigators: The use of a meticulous chargesheet combined with electronic evidence could serve as a template for agencies handling similar Naxal cases in the future. • Trust in the justice process: A conviction in a decade-old case sends the message to the public that Naxal violence cases may take time, but action does eventually follow. Why this happened This conviction did not happen overnight, it is the outcome of a long investigation that began with the 2015 encounter and was carried through with strong prosecution. • The 2015 encounter set it off: The case was registered at Korar police station only after the clash between police and Naxals in the hilly terrain of Besagaon village, which became the foundation of the entire prosecution. • Booked under strict laws: Filing the case under UAPA, Section 307 and the Arms Act gave police a strong legal footing from the very start. • Meticulous investigation and chargesheet: The investigating officer conducted a detailed probe and prepared a strong chargesheet that also drew on electronic evidence against the Naxals. • Effective prosecution: Strong advocacy by the police and prosecution ensured the evidence held up in court, resulting in the conviction of all five accused. Questions & Answers 1. How long is the sentence given to Prabhakar and Raje Kange? The court sentenced both of them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment each. 2. What sentence did the other three Naxals get? Three other Naxals linked to the same case were sentenced to five years in prison each. 3. When did this case originate? The case dates back to 2015, when police and Naxals clashed in the hilly area of Besagaon village. 4. What reward had been announced on Prabhakar and Raje Kange? A reward of Rs 25 lakh was on Prabhakar, and Rs 8 lakh on his wife Raje Kange. 5. Under which laws was the case registered? The case was registered under UAPA, Section 307, and the Arms Act. 6. What ranks did Prabhakar and Raje Kange hold in the Naxal organisation? Prabhakar held the SGCM and DKSZC rank, while Raje Kange held the DVCM rank. https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/naksali-dnpati-raje-kange-aura-prabhakar-ko-kanker-ki-adalata-ne-sunai-7-7-sala-jela-ki-saja-29553 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.