A local court in Uttar Pradesh has acquitted 7 individuals accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots case due to insufficient evidence.
This decision was revealed by a counsel associated with the case, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving convictions in riot-related incidents.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed charge sheets in 175 out of 510 riot cases stemming from the communal violence that erupted in 2013 in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts.
Despite this, only 21 individuals have been convicted across just three of those cases. The riots resulted in the tragic deaths of over 60 people and displaced more than 40,000 residents.
The seven accused—Bittu, Praveen, Bablu, Pankaj, Pintu, Narender, and Anil—were acquitted on Sunday. Additional District and Sessions Judge Kanishk Kumar remarked that the prosecution had failed to establish its narrative in this particular case.
Defense counsel Rahul Chaudhry pointed out that both the complainant and other witnesses did not corroborate the prosecution’s claims and ultimately turned hostile during the proceedings.
According to the First Information Report related to this case, the accused were alleged to have forcibly entered the home of Shakir in Bahawdi village, where they reportedly robbed cash and jewelry. This incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Phugana Police Station on September 8, 2013.
The lack of credible evidence presented by the prosecution has been a recurring issue in the trials related to the Muzaffarnagar riots. The acquittal of the seven accused underscores the difficulties faced by authorities in securing convictions in cases involving communal violence.
As the SIT continues its investigations, many families affected by the riots remain in search of justice, while the broader implications of these legal outcomes resonate within the community.
The riots in Muzaffarnagar have had lasting impacts, and the legal proceedings that followed reflect ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding communal issues in the region. With a high number of cases still unresolved and a significant number of individuals acquitted, there is growing concern regarding accountability and the judicial process in riot-related cases.
As the situation develops, the quest for justice continues to be a focal point for the victims and their families, who have faced immense hardship since the events of 2013.
