BJP MLAs charged with inciting UP riots ‘still roaming free’
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The ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh was in a dilemma on Thursday over the arrest of four BJP MLAs accused of inciting communal violence in Muzaffarnagar.
The government suspects any action against the BJP legislators could give political mileage to the saffron party ahead of the general elections, sources said.
BJP MLAs Hukum Singh, Suresh Rana, Sangeet Som and Bhartendu Singh are among 16 people against whom a Muzaffarnagar court issued non-bailable warrants on Wednesday.
Hukum Singh, info berita leader of the BJP legislature party, claimed the charges against him are ‘politically motivated’
Hukum Singh, leader of the BJP legislature party, and Rana were present in the state Assembly on Thursday and later walked away comfortably.Though Bhartendu and Som did not attend the House, they were present in the state capital.
Hukum later said the charges against him and his party leaders were politically motivated and that the government had no proof to blame them for the riots.
Sources in the government told Mail Today: “The BJP can take political mileage if any arrests are made. Any decision would be taken after Friday, when the ongoing session of the House is over. Mulayam has said no action would be taken against any politician before the report of the Vishnu Sahai Commission on riots comes.”
Arun Kumar wants out
Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Arun Kumar, who oversaw security arrangements in Muzaffarnagar after the communal riots erupted, has sought the state government’s permission to go on deputation at the Centre.
He has also gone on leave and is said to have gone out of the state on a personal visit.
Kumar is heading the probe into the violence.His move came amid reports of alleged political interference in police functioning during the riots. A total of 47 people were killed in the communal violence.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will continue to monitor the probe into the Muzaffarnagar riots and relief and rehabilitation work in violence-hit areas till the end and asked the UP government to file report on steps taken by it.
“We are not closing the writ petition. Till the end we will monitor the development. We are not passing the final order,” the bench said.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Thursday issued notices to Akhilesh Yadav-led UP government and the Centre seeking all details on the Muzaffarnagar communal riots.
The court directive came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the wake of a sting operation carried out by Headlines Today.