New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down the plea for a probe by the CBI or Special Investigation Team into the Muzaffarnagar riots that claimed over 60 lives.
The petition alleged that the Akhilesh Yadav led Uttar Pradesh government had failed conduct a fair probe into the riots and was trying to shield rioters.
"There is no need for any probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team," the court said, responding to a batch of petitions.
The court also held Yadav's government responsible for 'initial negligence' and directed it to give police protection to victims' families till the trail is completed.
All accused in different cases in the Muzaffarnagar communal violence must be arrested irrespective of their political affiliation, the court added.
The Muzaffarnagar riots flared up after the killing of two Jats and one Muslim at a village in the district.
