2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case: Non-bailable warrants issued against BJP's Sanjiv Balyan, Sangeet Som for hate speeches

Muzaffarnagar: A local court has issued non-bailable warrants against Uttar Pradesh minister Suresh Rana, former Union minister Sanjiv Balyan, BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Umesh Malik and others in connection with a 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case following permission from the state government to prosecute them. Additional chief judicial magistrate Madhu Gupta on Friday issued the fresh non bailable warrants and asked the accused to appear in court on 19 January, 2018, according to officials of Special Investigation Team (SIT). [caption id=“attachment_4147001” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of BJP MLA Sangeet Som. Getty Images[/caption] The SIT had sought permission from the Uttar Pradesh government to prosecute the accused under Section 153A of IPC for allegedly making hate speeches and the state government has permitted it, they said. It is alleged that the accused participated in a mahapanchyat and incited violence through their speeches in the last week of August 2013. They are also facing charges under various sections of IPC for allegedly violating prohibitory orders, deterring public servants from discharging thier duties and wrongful restraint. The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in August and September 2013 had claimed more than 60 lives while over 40,000 people were displaced.