BJP MLA arrested for Muzaffarnagar violence

Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Kunwar Bhartendu Singh, accused of inciting last month riots in Muzaffarnagar, was on Thrusday apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh police and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Singh was arrested by police after a press conference here in which he claimed his innocence and said he was being targeted by political rivals. The member of Legislative Assembly from Bijnor constituency is the third legislator from BJP who has been arrested for the Muzaffarnagar violence. BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana were earlier arrested.

Singh has been arrested on the charges of violating prohibitory orders and provoking communal tension by making inflammatory speeches during a panchayat meet in Nagla Mandaur village, the police said.

He has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody and his bail plea will be heard on Friday, they said. The BJP MLA was among the 16 politicians and community leaders against whom non-bailable warrants were issued by a court in Muzaffarnagar in connection with last month's riots.

The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas claimed 62 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.