Politically motivated ‘riots cases’ will be withdrawn, says UP govt

Lucknow, March 22

Chief Minister Adityanath’s government in Uttar Pradesh could withdraw “politically motivated” riots cases, state’s law minister said on Thursday. 

Law Minister Brijesh Pathak was asked about a news report about the state government’s decision to withdraw 131 cases in the Muzaffarnagar and Shamli communal riots of 2013—several BJP leaders, including a minister from Adityanath’s own cabinet are accused of being involved in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar communal riots. Pathak neither confirmed nor denied the report, but said the government would only withdraw cases that “smacked of political vendetta”.

"Riot cases are also registered under the IPC. If these are politically motivated, we will surely consider their withdrawal".

"Chief Minister Yogi Adidyanath has decided to withdraw those cases that were filed due to political reasons. We have initiated a process in this regard," he said, adding that the state government had received applications from leaders of several parties.

At least 62 persons died and a large number of people lost their homes in the riots that took place in September 2013.

UP Minister Suresh Rana, former Union Minister Sanjiv Balyan, Bijnor MP Bhartendu Singh, Budhana MLA Umesh Malik and party leader Sadhvi Prachi were among those accused of being involved in the Muzaffarnagar riots.

Following the violence, a total of 503 cases were lodged against around 1,455 persons at police stations in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli by the then Samajwadi Party government.

Hardline Hindu leader Adityanath was himself accused of having incited communal riots in Gorakhpur in 2007, when he was MP. His government refused to sanction prosecution against him in May 2017.

The Allahabad High Court refused to order reinvestigation into the allegations by the Central Bureau of Investigation on February 28.

There were unconfirmed reports of the state government considering withdrawal of Muzaffarnagar riots cases in January as well. Agencies