The case, known as the Kakori train dacoity and conspiracy case, was adjudicated in Lucknow Case No. 339, I.L.R. 1 Lucknow. In this case, 24 persons were prosecuted under Section 121-A and Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.) for conspiracy to overthrow British rule in India.
They were also charged under Section 396 I.P.C. for committing dacoities to raise funds for their revolutionary activities.
The dacoities, four in total, included:
Bamrauli (Pilibhit District) on Christmas night, December 25, 1924, in the house of a wealthy moneylender and sugar factory owner. A wrestler was shot dead during the incident.
Bichpuri (Pilibhit District) on March 9, 1925, in the house of a rich Kurmi, where one person was killed.
Dwarkapur (Pratapgarh District) on May 25, 1925, in the house of a Vaish community member, during which a villager was killed.
The most significant, Kakori Train Dacoity, occurred on August 9, 1925, on a train (8 Down) of the East Indian Railway (now Northern Railway) near Kakori Railway Station, 8 miles from Lucknow. The train was halted by pulling the communication cord, and the attackers overpowered the guard. They declared they were there to take "Government property," broke open the safe in the brake van, and looted Rs. 4,553-3-6. A lawyer, Ahmad Ali, was shot dead when he attempted to leave the carriage despite being warned not to.
Following the train dacoity, the British Government suspected a broader conspiracy, especially as the arms and ammunition found at the scenes were similar. The investigation, led by an experienced officer of the C.I.D., revealed a revolutionary conspiracy.
This group, largely composed of educated youths, formed the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) with the goal of establishing a Federal Republic of the United States of India through organized and armed revolution. They collected arms, committed dacoities to raise funds, and distributed pamphlets encouraging Indians to rise against British rule.
In the investigation, a pamphlet containing the prospectus and constitution of the Hindustan Republican Association was seized.
Out of the first group of arrestees, one person was discharged, while 21 were committed to Sessions Court, presided over by Mr. Hamilton (later Hon'ble Hamilton, J.), appointed as a special judge.
Later, two other key revolutionaries, Ashfaqullah Khan and Sachindra Nath Bakshi, were arrested and tried in a supplementary trial by Mr. J.R.W. Bennett, Sessions Judge of Lucknow (later Hon'ble Bennett, J.).
After an 8-month trial, on April 6, 1927, Mr. Hamilton delivered his judgment, acquitting two persons, convicting 18 under Sections 121-A and 120-B I.P.C., and sentencing 9 of them under Section 396 I.P.C.. Among these, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Nath Lahiri, and Raushan Singh, the leaders, were sentenced to death.
The others received varying terms of imprisonment. One accused was invalidated, postponing their trial.
Out of the 15 convicted individuals who appealed to the Chief Court, one did not press his appeal. The Government also applied for enhancement of the sentences for six of those convicted, who had received lesser punishments.
In the supplementary trial, Mr. Bennett convicted both Ashfaqullah Khan and Sachindra Nath Bakshi.
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