U.P.: HC SUSPENDS SENTENCE OF BJP MLA IN RIOTS CASE

PRAYAGRAJ/LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court on Friday suspended the sentence awarded by a lower court to the disqualified BJP MLA Vikram Saini in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case, people privy to the matter said on Sunday. The court also granted him bail in the case.

Hearing the plea, justice Samit Gopal said: “Prayer for bail/suspension of sentence is allowed.” Saini will remain disqualified as the HC has not given a stay on his conviction, said an official spokesperson for the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly. On November 7, the legislative assembly secretariat had declared the Khatauli seat, represented by Saini, as vacant. The bypoll for the seat is slated for December 5.