Uttarakhand BJP MLA booked for inciting communal violence

Times of India, May 1, 2012

BJP MLA booked for inciting communal violence

The Uttarakhand police on Monday booked BJP MLA Rajkumar Thukral for fanning communal violence in Udham Singh Nagar on October 2 last year, in which four people were killed and 35 others, including 12 policemen, wounded. In the riots that followed, several shops were set ablaze and curfew was imposed for more than a week.

"Civil judge Reena Negi directed the police to book Thukral on the basis of an application filed by one Suhel Ahmed," said DIG, Nainital, Deepak Jyoti Ghildiyal, adding that the application was filed a few days after the communal violence broke out. Ahmed had alleged that Thukral, 45, had incited anti-social elements into firing at members of the minority community and burn their shops. Apart from the BJP MLA, 17 others were booked under similar charges. Thukral was elected from Udham Singh Nagar on January 30 this year.

A senior police officer said that the process to investigate cases against the BJP MLA has been initiated. Asked for his reaction, Thukral told TOI, "It's strange that the cases have been registered seven months after the violence. This has been done at the ruling Congress's behest. My image is being tarnished." He added, "I have full faith in the police and the judiciary." Thukral has been booked on charges of murder, inciting violence, provoking communal attacks and indulging in loot.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12945377.cms