Judicial commission begins its hearing to probe the Muzaffaranagar riots

A one-member judicial commission constituted by the UP government to probe the Muzaffarnagar communal violence began its hearing on Wednesday.

The commission led by Justice Vishnu Sahai, retired judge of Allahabad High Court, will record statements of riots victims in its sittings till April 21, district administration sources said. The commission is likely to submit its report by May 15.

Set up in September last year, immediately after the violence had spread to adjoining districts of Muzaffarnagar, the commission had earlier visited the riot-hit towns and villages in the western UP region.

The commission, so far has received more than 700 affidavits in connection with the riots.

At least 60 people died and thousands were displaced during the communal violence which hit the western part of the state including districts of Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, last year.