BSP blames BJP, SP for release of accused in Muzaffarnagar rape

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) for the release of the four accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar rape case.

"The rapists in Muzaffarnagar are released because the police did not carry out a proper investigation and there was failure to present concrete evidences. It is a conspiracy of the BJP and the Samajwadi Party," BSP leader Sudheendra Bhadauria told ANI.

"The victim is from minority. Muzaffarnagar has become an experiment lab for their political agenda. Many such incidents are taking place in Uttar Pradesh. This government has completely failed to prevent crime and it raises many questions on the government," he added.

The Four accused of gangraping a woman during the riots in Muzaffarnagar, were acquitted on January 21 by a Muzaffarnagar fast track court after the victim and key witnesses, including her husband, mother-in-law and a neighbour, were declared hostile and did not support the prosecution during the trial.

The SIT arrested and chargesheeted four accused - Ramveer, Sanjeev, Rupesh and Pushpendra - under different charges including rape, house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint. On the court's order, police also attached properties of the accused while they were on the run.