Muzaffarnagar riots: Special Investigation Team chargesheets one in gangrape case

MUZAFFARNAGAR: The Special Investigation Team probing the Muzaffarnagar riots has filed its first charge sheet in a case of a gangrape that took place during the communal violence in the district.

The charge sheet was filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Narender Kumar by the SIT last evening against one of the accused Vedpal who was found involved by the the SIT.

A complaint of gangrape was registered by a victim against Vedpal and four others in Phugana village here, police said, adding, the remaining four accused identified as Sachin, Sunny, Ajit, and Yogesh are absconding.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Kumar earlier on Friday had extended the judicial custody of Vedpal till May 2, in the case.

Six cases of gangrapes during the riots were registered against 27 people. However, one victim turned hostile and police closed her case leaving the number of cases to five.

As many as 22 people were found involved by the probing agency and 20 out of them are absconding, SIT sources said.

Earlier, an accused Roki in another gangrape case was also arrested by the police.

Meanwhile, SIT has declared the names of the 20 absconding gangrape accused and the court has initiated attachment proceedings against them.

At least 60 people died and thousands were displaced during the communal violence which hit the western part of the state including districts of Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, last year.