All accused of Muzaffarnagar gangrapes held

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 23

After evading the police for months, 25 accused in the alleged Muzaffarnagar gangrapes, which took place during communal riots last year, were arrested today.

Investigating Officer M Sharma said Chief Judicial Magistrate Narender Kumar today remanded Abhinav, one of the accused, to judicial custody. He was carrying a reward Rs 15,000 on his head.

Following the ghastly Muzaffarnagar communal violence around 27 people were booked for the reported six gangrapes.

Later, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the riots had chargesheeted 25 persons. One case was registered in Lank village, while the remaining five were from the worst-affected Phugana village of the district.

The communal violence that broke out in August-September last year in Muzaffarnagar and its adjoining districts had left around 65 dead and close to 50,000 displaced.