On May 13, 2025, a fast-track court in Muzaffarnagar acquitted 11 individuals accused of looting and arson during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The court cited lack of evidence and the failure of witnesses to support the prosecution’s case as the primary reasons for the acquittal .

The case involved allegations that the accused had looted valuables and set fire to a house in Lisadh village during the riots, resulting in significant property damage and displacement. However, the prosecution’s case was weakened by the absence of corroborative evidence and hostile testimonies from key witnesses .

This acquittal adds to a series of similar outcomes in riot-related cases. Earlier in April 2025, another fast-track court in Muzaffarnagar acquitted 16 individuals in a separate case due to insufficient evidence . These repeated acquittals highlight the challenges faced in prosecuting communal violence cases, including delayed investigations, witness hostility, and difficulties in gathering conclusive evidence in the aftermath of such incidents.

The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots were among the most severe communal disturbances in recent Indian history, resulting in the deaths of 62 people and displacing over 50,000 others. Despite numerous cases registered and a large number of accused, many trials have concluded with acquittals, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the legal process in delivering justice to the victims .

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