A local court in Muzaffarnagar has issued bailable warrant against several accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riot cases, including Union Minister Sanjeev Baliyan, BJP MP Bhartendu Singh, party MLA Suresh Rana and VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar court Sitaram asked all the accused in the case to appear in the court on November 2. “The case required appearance of the accused for its timely disposal. Their non-appearance is resulting in extreme delays,” the prosecution lawyer said.

The accused were charged under section 188 (violating prohibitory orders), section 354 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharging his duty) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code.

The leaders were part of the Jat Mahapanchayat in Nangla Mandaur in Muzaffarnagar where they allegedly incited violence through their speeches on August 30. About 60 people were killed and 40,000 displaced in the communal clashes in the aftermath of the Nangla Mandaur Mahapanchayat.

Reacting to the court warrant, Mr. Baliyan, the BJP MP from Muzaffarnagar, accused that the Samajwadi Party government of indulging in “politics of vendetta.”

“The riots were organised by leaders of the Samajwadi Party,” said Mr. Baliyan.