Muzaffarnagar riots: UP government to withdraw 131 cases

The Yogi Adityanath led-BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is set to withdraw 131 cases against those accused in the 2013 communal riots in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.

While the BJP has maintained it is withdrawing only the false cases linked to the September 2013 riots, Opposition parties have termed it an attempt to offer 'amnesty' to rioters.

On September 2013, communal riots in UP's Muzaffarnagar and Shamli broke out killing at least 62 people and displacing a thousand others. 

The Samajwadi Party, then state government, had filed an FIR against 1,455 persons, including members of the BJP,  in a total of 503 cases.

In January, a report claimed that the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling withdrawing nine cases against BJP leaders in connection with the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

The accused are facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for violating prohibitory orders, deterring public servants from discharging their duties and wrongful restraint.