Warrant issued against Sadhvi Prachi again in connection with Muzaffarnagar riots

A local court on Saturday again issued a warrant against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sadhvi Prachi for not appearing before it in connection with a 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sitaram issued a bailable warrant against Sadhvi Prachi and directed her to appear before the court on February 21 in the case.

The court had earlier on, December 18, issued a warrant after she failed to appear before it.

According to prosecution, apart from Prachi, Union Minister Sanjeev Baliyan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhartendu Singh, party MLAs Suresh Rana and Sangeet Som are facing charges under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for violating prohibitory orders, deterring public servants from discharging their duties and also wrongful restraint.

It is alleged that the accused participated in Nadala Mador mahapanchayat meeting and incited violence, through their speeches in the last week of August of 2013.

The other accused submitted exemption applications through their lawyer, which the court allowed and fixed the next date of hearing on February 21.

The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in August and September of 2013 had left over 63 dead and rendered over 55,000 homeless.