Muzaffarnagar Court Clears 22 Accused in 2013 Riots Murder and Arson Case
A court in Muzaffarnagar has acquitted 22 people in a high-profile case involving murder, loot, and arson linked to the devastating 2013 communal riots. The ruling, delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Kanishk Kumar, cited a critical lack of evidence as the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Court Cites Insufficient Evidence for Acquittal
Government counsel Narendra Sharma confirmed that the court observed the prosecution could not provide conclusive proof to support the allegations. The case, which dates back to September 8, 2013, originated from incidents reported in Mohammadpur Raisingh village during the peak of the riots.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) had initially filed a chargesheet against 26 individuals. However, during the lengthy trial proceedings, four of the accused passed away, leaving 22 to face the legal process until the recent acquittal.
Details of the Alleged Incidents
According to the prosecution, the case was based on a complaint lodged by Haneef, who alleged that hundreds of rioters attacked homes in Mohammadpur Raisingh village. The complaint detailed:
- Looting of property from multiple households.
- Arson attacks that resulted in homes being set ablaze.
- The brutal beating death of Haneef's father, Rahishuddin, during the violence.
- Damage to a local mosque and the burning of a police constable's motorcycle.
The acquitted individuals, all residents of Mohammadpur Raisingh village, include Anil, Subhash, Sanjeev, Karan, Sher Singh, Rishipal, Hansarpal, Pramod, Vikki, Badal, Madan, Jainarain, Brijvir, Vinod, Kala, Parveen, Jagpal, Prempal, Pappu, Nitu, Bhura, and Harender Singh.
Background of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots
The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots were among the most severe episodes of communal violence in recent Indian history, resulting in tragic consequences:
- More than 60 people lost their lives in the clashes.
- Over 40,000 individuals were displaced from their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis.
- The violence left deep social and political scars in the region, with numerous legal cases emerging in its aftermath.
This acquittal adds another chapter to the complex legal proceedings stemming from the riots, highlighting the challenges in securing convictions when evidence is deemed insufficient by the courts.
