Muzaffarnagar riots: SC commences final hearing

New Delhi, Jan 21: The

on Tuesday commenced final hearing on a batch of petitions demanding independent probe either by CBI or special investigating team (SIT) into the recent

in

and its adjoining districts in

.

Besides impartial inquiry, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam is also monitoring the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the state administration for the riot-affected people.

The petitions filed by some advocates, mostly residents of of riot-affected areas, NGOs and others have also sought direction that the state should take all precautions to keep away anti-social elements from the area and that relief measures should reach the affected people without any discrimination.

Further, the petitioners sought framing of mechanism to make the administration responsible for any lapse in handling of the situation.

The bench said it was mainly focusing on the main issues in the riot-hit districts and will decide later whether to hear the petition for initiating contempt action against the Uttar Pradesh government and top leadership of Samajwadi Party for allegedly violating the apex court directions.

PTI