Fri Mar 14 09:20:00 UTC 2025: ## 44 Years Later, Convictions in 1981 Massacre of 24 Dalits in Dihulli Village

**Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh:** A Mainpuri court has delivered verdicts in the long-pending Dihulli massacre case, convicting three men for the 1981 killings of 24 Dalits in Dihulli village, Firozabad district. The sentencing is scheduled for March 18th.

The incident, which occurred on November 18th, 1981, involved the alleged massacre by dacoits Santosh and Radhe and their gang, primarily comprised of upper-caste individuals. The massacre, which lasted approximately four hours, resulted in the deaths of 24 Dalits after the gang, allegedly disguised as police officers, opened fire on the village. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror, with indiscriminate shooting and the deaths of men, women, and children. The initial police investigation implicated members of the upper caste for the attack, alleging that a feud stemming from the relationship between a Dalit man and an upper-caste woman was the motive.

Of the 17 original accused, 13 have died. The court found three men – Captain Singh, Ramsevak, and Rampal – guilty under various charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and criminal trespass. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a fourth accused, Gyanchandra, who remains at large. While Ramsevak, already imprisoned in Mainpuri jail, was present in court, Rampal’s request for an adjournment was denied.

The victims’ families expressed a sense of delayed justice. Sanjay Chaudhary, whose cousin was killed, stated, “Justice has been served, but very late. The accused have lived their lives. It would have been better if this verdict had come earlier.” Another family member, Nirmala Devi, whose two cousins perished in the attack, noted that a sense of fear still lingers in the village.

The case, initially transferred to the Allahabad Sessions Court in 1984, saw a lengthy legal process before finally being moved to the Mainpuri dacoity court. The delay and the eventual convictions have once again brought this horrific event back into the national spotlight, raising questions about justice delayed and the ongoing impact on the community.

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