The Supreme Court has directed Uttar Pradesh Police to launch an inquiry into allegations that Ashish Mishra, accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, has violated his bail conditions and is trying to influence witnesses.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, while hearing an application seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Mishra, directed the Lakhimpur Kheri Superintendent of Police (SP) to conduct a fact-finding inquiry and file the report in the top court.
“In our considered view, the veracity, genuineness and reliability of such material can only be gone into by the police administration. The police administration may submit a report in support or against the allegations made in the application seeking cancellation of bail,” the bench said.
Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, denied the allegations and said that every time the matter was listed, such averments were made for the cancellation of his bail granted by the top court.
“These are public-oriented allegations. Every time, a new story emerges. They’ve even planted someone who doesn’t look like me. Witnesses from their side are not showing up,” Mishra’s counsel told the Supreme Court.
The bench, however, stressed the importance of addressing the concerns raised by the complainant. “Since there are documents placed before us, the State would be best suited to respond,” it said.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for complainants, claimed that he had an audio recording of attempts Ashish Mishra made to influence crucial witnesses in the case. Bhushan also alleged that the accused attended a public meeting which was in violation of the bail conditions.
The next hearing on the matter will take place after a month.
LAKHIMPUR KHERI CASE
Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the Tikunia area of Lakhimpur Kheri district on October 3, 2021 during a farmers’ agitation against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area. Ten farmers were injured in the case.
Four farmers were mowed down by a sports car. A driver and two BJP workers were then allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence. Two cars involved in the incident belonged to Ajay Mishra Teni and as per eyewitnesses, Ashish was in one of the vehicles at the time of the incident.