Men try to steal files of panel probing UP riots

An attempt was made to allegedly steal files from the office of justice Vishnu Sahai commission that is probing the recent Muzaffarnagar communal riots.

An attempt was made to allegedly steal files from the office of justice Vishnu Sahai commission that is probing the recent Muzaffarnagar communal riots.

Two persons were looking for the files at the single-member Sahai commission's office at Judicial Training and Research Institute on Wednesday, IG (law and order) Amrendra Sengar said on Thursday.

According to a complaint lodged by an employee, when he attempted to stop the intruders, they threatened him with a weapon and later fled the spot. Sengar said an FIR has been lodged against unidentified persons and security of the commission's office has been stepped up.

“Some persons came to my office when I was not present and attempted to break open my secretary's cupboard," justice Sahai said after the incident. When one of the employees objected, the men brandished a gun, he said. “Amid all this, the assailants got a phone call and left the spot,” he said.

“I was not present in the office at that time and was informed later,” he added.

Sahai said he has informed top Uttar Pradesh officials, including the principal secretary (Home), about the incident. He denied getting any threats while investigating the riots.