All Seven Accused in 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots Given Life Sentence

The order comes days after the UP government had recommended the withdrawal of 38 cases against 100 individuals.

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(Image: Harsh Sahni/The Quint)

The seven accused in the Kawal twin murder case have been given life imprisonment, reported News18. The seven were accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013.

The seven convicts – Muzammil, Mujassim, Furkan, Nadeem, Jahangir, Afzal and Iqbal – are accused of killing two people – Gaurav and Sachin – on 27 August 2013 and rioting in Kawal village.

The prosecution lawyer said initially five were accused in the FIR, and Afzal and Iqbal were found to be involved in the crime later, reported The Times of India.

The order by the local court comes days after the Yogi Adityanath government had recommended the withdrawal of 38 criminal cases against more than 100 individuals charged in connection with the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, reported The Times of India.

The newspaper, quoting a recommendation note that it has accessed, said that Special Secretary JP Singh sent the report to the district magistrate on 29 January, after the UP government gave its green signal on 10 January.

“After evaluating the facts and available correspondence and documents, it has been decided after careful consideration, that the cases against accused must be withdrawn by presenting the approval before the district court,” The Times of India, quoted the recommendation note.

It also reportedly cited UP Governor Ram Naik’s approval to withdraw the cases.

The government report, cites CrPC Section 321, which allows withdrawal from prosecution.

(With inputs from The Times of India)