Court Withdraws Muzaffarnagar Riots Case Against 25 BJP Leaders, Hindu Activists

A special court in Muzaffarnagar has approved the prosecution's request to drop a case against 25 individuals, including prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and Hindu activists. The case was related to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

What Happened

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate/MP-MLA court judge, Devendra Kumar Faujdar, allowed the withdrawal application on Wednesday. Prosecution officer Rahul Singh stated that the accused were on trial for allegedly contravening prohibitory orders, obstructing public servants, and stirring communal tension through speeches delivered at a mahapanchayat in Nagla Mador on July 31, 2013. The application for withdrawal was submitted after the Uttar Pradesh government decided to drop the case.

Key Facts

• A special MP-MLA court in Muzaffarnagar allowed the withdrawal of a case.
• The case involved 25 BJP leaders and Hindu activists.
• The charges were related to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.
• The accused allegedly violated prohibitory orders, obstructed public servants, and incited communal tension.
• The alleged offenses occurred during a mahapanchayat on July 31, 2013, in Nagla Mador.
• The withdrawal followed a decision by the Uttar Pradesh government.
• Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal, former Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan, and former State Minister Suresh Rana were among the accused.
• Other accused included VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi and Narsinghanand of Dasna Shiv Temple.
• The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and subsequent violence resulted in over 60 deaths and displaced more than 40,000 people.

Background

The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and related violence in neighboring districts led to a significant loss of life and displacement. Official figures indicate that more than 60 people died and over 40,000 were displaced as a result of the disturbances.