SC agrees to hear PIL for CBI probe in Muzaffarnagar violence

The Supreme Court today agreed to give an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking CBI probe into the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and for ensuring safe passage to people stuck due to clashes.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to give an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking CBI probe into the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and for ensuring safe passage to people stuck due to clashes.

A bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi, before whom the matter was mentioned, posted the hearing for tomorrow.

The PIL has been filed by Mohammed Haroon and others seeking court's direction to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government to find out the reason behind the communal clashes in the state and to take immediate steps to control the violence.

The PIL also sought that the affected persons should be properly rehabilitated and the culprits behind the incident most be brought to book.

The petitioners alleged that houses of around 20,000 people have been burnt and they must be provided temporary shelter and food and medicines be also supplied to the affected families.

Senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that situation in Western districts is grim as mob had set ablaze many religious places, shops and houses.

He pleaded the apex court to intervene in the issue and direct to grant ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the injured.

Communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining towns have so far claimed 40 lives.