37 Hindus Acquitted in Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) Riot Case After 13 Years

Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) — In a significant development related to the 2013 Hindu-Muslim riots in the district, Hindu families have finally received relief. In a case connected to Kutba village, the court acquitted 37 Hindu accused due to lack of evidence. Eight of the accused have died in the meantime. The accused had spent the past 13 years in jail. It had been alleged that during the tenure of the then Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav, false cases were filed against innocent Hindus. It was also alleged that compensation during the riots was granted only to Muslims. The Supreme Court had expressed displeasure over this alleged partial approach. It is being said that under the current Yogi Adityanath government, relief has finally come to these Hindu families.

The court observed that the prosecution failed to present concrete evidence against the accused, witnesses turned hostile, and testimonies were weak. As a result, all 37 accused were acquitted.

Eight Muslims Had Died in Kutba

On 8 September 2013, violence broke out in Kutba village. According to a complaint filed by Imran, a mob of hundreds allegedly attacked Muslim homes while raising religious slogans. It was alleged that houses were set on fire, looted, and eight Muslims were killed in attacks carried out using rifles, country-made pistols, swords, and sharp weapons. A total of 110 persons were booked in the case, and chargesheets were filed against 37 accused.

Background of the Muzaffarnagar Riots

On 27 August 2013, in Kawal village, two brothers—Sachin and Gaurav—were killed following allegations that a girl from the Jat community had been harassed. Subsequently, a Muslim youth named Shahnawaz was also killed. A Jat Mahapanchayat was held on 7 September, and violence spread from 8 September onwards. In total, 62 people lost their lives, including 42 Muslims and 20 Hindus. More than 50,000 people were displaced, the majority of them Muslim families who moved to relief camps.

Editorial Perspective

Justice delayed is justice denied ! There is now a need for a law to ensure compensation for the affected and penalties for investigating agencies in such cases !