Cases against BJP leaders withdrawn

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, August 3 

The TS Rawat government  in the state has ordered the withdrawal of cases lodged in 2012 against seven persons, including a senior BJP leader, accused in the 2011 Rudrapur riots. 

The orders were passed by Vinod Sharma, Uttarakhand Secretary, Department of Home, two days ago. Vinod Sharma has now retired from service.

Serious cases under Sections 302 and 307 were registered against the BJP leaders after an inquiry was conducted in 2012. 

Riots broke out in Rudrapur in 2011 in which four persons were killed and property worth several crores was destroyed in looting and arson. At that time, the BJP government under former Chief Minister BC Khanduri was in power. Soon after, the Congress government assumed charge under former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and an FIR was lodged against seven persons, including a senior BJP leader Nathu Lal. 

This is the first instance under Chief Minister TS Rawat’ s leadership, when cases have been withdrawn against members of his own party. Soon after his appointment in March this year, Rawat had said that cases of political nature lodged against BJP leaders would be withdrawn.