Allahabad High Court has dismissed a plea that sought an investigation on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s involvement in the 2007 Gorakhpur riots alleging then Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur Adityanath of delivering hate speeches that instigated communal violence during the riots.

A petition filed by Parwez Parvaz and Asad Hayat citing that the state was slow in the investigation and the case should be investigated y an independent investigating agency to speed up the process.

“This is a hopelessly disappointing judgement and the findings are illegal and contrary to facts. We will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against this order,” said Farman Naqvi, counselor for the petitioners.

“In the facts and circumstances discussed, we find no material irregularities in holding an investigation and state government’s refusal to grant sanction to prosecute Yogi Adityanath. Therefore, the writ petition has hereby dismissed. No cost has been imposed,” a bench of Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Akhilesh Chandra Sharma cited the reason for dismissal.

UP government lawyer said that they have already submitted evidence pointing at tampering of the video and hence had no base to grant sanction to prosecute Adityanath. Ironically, in this case, Adityanath himself has the right to sanction his prosecution as this power is held by the state government in cases of inciting communal riots. The petitioners have been fighting against this.