Muzaffarnagar riots: Attachment proceedings initiated against 21 rape accused

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A local court has initiated attachment proceedings against 21 absconding accused in the five cases of gangrapes during the Muzaffarnagar riots.

Yesterday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Narender Kumar at the request of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases ordered attachment proceedings against the accused under Section 83 of the CrPc.

Out of the 27 accused, the SIT had found the involvement of 22 accused in five gangrape cases. One of the accused, Vedpal has been arrested while others are absconding.

Investigations are on in the case of remaining five accused, SIT Inspector Mala Yadav said.

Earlier, on the victim's writ petition, Supreme Court had issused notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre over delay in the arrest of gangrape accused.

National Commission for Minorities had also expressed its concern over the delay in arrest.

Over 60 persons were killed and more than 40,000 displaced in communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in September last.