A Sessions court in Muzaffarnagar ordered to attach the property of six accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riot case since they failed to surrender before it despite repeated arrest warrants.
The accused had stabbed to death Shahnawaz, a youth from Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar on August 27, 2013. The stabbing led to widespread riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts in which more than 60 people were reported dead and approximately 50,000 rendered homeless. The riots were described as one of the worst in Uttar Pradesh in recent history. It was reported then that seven people had entered Shahnawaz’s home, brought him out and had repeatedly stabbed him with swords and knives. Later, two accused, Sachin and Gaurav were reportedly lynched by a mob and had died. Though the incident of stabbing took place because the accused alleged that Shahnawaz had harassed a girl, the girl in question had denied any such accusations. The case had been ongoing since 2014. Riding on the anger in Jat community, the BJP had won the Lok Sabha polls held soon after the incident. Fact findings reports by various independent civil society members had found out that the riots were preceded by provocative and instigating speeches by BJP MLAs.
The Chief Judicial magistrate Rakesh Gautam ordered to attach the property of accused they failed to surrender before it.
The accused have been identified as Ravinder, Prehlad, Bishan Singh, Tendu, Devender and Jitender.
The next hearing is on June 7.