A former Union minister, BJP MP and MLA are among 15 accused who have been issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) by a Court in connection with 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in which about 62 people, including 42 Muslims were killed.
The BJP MP Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, who was former Union Minister for State for Agriculture and Food Processing and later moved to MoS for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is among the accused who have been issued NBWs by a Muzffarnagar Court.
Prominent among others included BJP MP from Bijnore Kunwar Bhartendu Singh, BJP MLA from Budhana Umesh Malik, Sadhvi Prachi etc. Taking a serious view of their non-appearance in person, the Court has issued NBWs against them. The court has fixed January 19 as the next date for hearing the case.
In his defense, the former Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan stated that he could not attend personally before the court as Lok Sabha session was on. “I have no intention to disrespect the court. I could not attend the hearing due to Lok Sabha session. My counsel will reply to the Court,” said Balyan in a statement.
Balyan alleged that cases against him were politically-motivated. “I was not even present in the village and did not give any speech despite that Akhilesh government slapped fake cases against me other BJP leaders,” he charged.
In another case related to Muzaffarnagar riots, 11 accused including BJP Cabinet Minister for Sugarcane in Yogi Adityanath government Suresh Rana, BJP MLA from Sardhana Sangeet Som and Sadhvi Prachi are facing charges under different sections of the IPC.
Described as the worst communal riots in recent times in the country, violent clashes took place between Hindus and Muslims over an alleged eve-teasing incident. The riots flared up following provocative and hate speeches by BJP MLAs and leaders on August 31, 2013, and September 7.
Hundreds of Muslims fled Mangla Nagaud and adjoining villages and have not returned home till date fearing a backlash. About 62 people, including 42 Muslims, were killed in the riots that broke out in the village.
The Supreme Court had prima facie blamed the then Akhilesh government for its failure to curb riots which rendered hundreds of people homeless. When the communal riots broke out in Muzaffaranagar, then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his ministers were enjoying Saifai Mahotasav in their village in Etawah district.
