Lucknow : A Special MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced BJP MLA Vikram Saini and eleven others to two-year jail sentence in a case relating to Muzaffarnagar riots
Saini is BJP MLA from Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh. Soon after the sentencing, all eleven were taken into custody and later released on bail with two sureties each for filing appeal in High Court.
The 12 are convicted under IPC sections 336(act endangering life or others), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty), 147 (rioting), 148(rioting armed with deadly weapons) and 149(unlawful assembly). Vikram Saini also faced charges under National Security Act.
15 were acquitted in the case for lack of evidence.
Backdrop : The case revolves around role of the BJP MLA and 26 others in in violence at Kawal village when a crowd was returning after cremating two Jat youths in 2013.
The slaying of the two Jats, Gaurav and Sachin and one Shahnavas had triggered communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in August and September of 2013 claiming 60 lives and dislodging 40,000 others.
