An Indian cabinet minister from western Gujarat state resigned and surrendered to police Friday, accused of inciting a mob during deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002.
Women and Child Welfare Minister Maya Kodnani has denied charges she led a mob that killed more than 100 people. Kodnani is a member of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. India is set to begin holding national elections in mid-April.
Kodnani turned herself in to a special investigative team of police after a the Gujarat High Court canceled her anticipatory bail.
The 2002 Gujarat riots left at least 2,000 Muslims dead. The violence was sparked by the death of Hindu pilgrims, killed in a train fire blamed on a gang of Muslims.