Vijayapura: City BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and others who were accused of creating communal riots in Vijayapura on May 26, 2014 have been acquitted by People’s Representative Court on Wednesday September 29.
The court which held hearing, cleared all the accused including Yatnal of the charges which has given a big sigh of relief to them.
It may be noted that a communal violence erupted at M. G. Circle and near Shastri Market of the City on the evening of May 26, 2014 during the procession taken out by Yatnal along with the supporters to celebrate the victory of BJP Government at the Centre and Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister.
During the procession, several people began pelting stones, vehicles were set on fire, and shops were vandalised.
After the incident, people of two different communities were arrested and an FIR was filed against them including Yatnal.
However, Yatnal was later arrested from Kolhapur in Maharashtra on May 29 as he was absconding.
The case lasted for seven long years, in which, the court finally proved the accused not guilty.
The charges were filed against 134 people including Yatnal.
During the hearing, Yatnal and other accused were present at the Chintana Hall of Police Department where the hearing was held.