Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Supreme Court to decide on plea seeking cancellation of Ashish Mishra bail today

New Delhi, April 17

The Supreme Court will on Monday deliver its verdict on a petition seeking cancellation of bail given to Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni’s son Ashish Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana — which had reserved its verdict on April 4 — is expected to pronounce it at 10:30 am.

Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when those against farm laws were holding a demonstration against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit on October 3, 2021.

Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and a driver were beaten to death allegedly by protesters. A local journalist was also killed in the violence. The Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Ashish on February 10.

The Uttar Pradesh Government had said the accused was not a flight risk and he had no criminal record even as the petitioner’s counsel sought cancellation of Mishra’s bail, contending the high court’s order suffered from non-application of mind. The Uttar Pradesh Government had said a decision to challenge the bail order was under consideration.

During the hearing on a petition filed by victims’ families challenging the February 10 order of the high court giving bail to Ashish, the top court had noted that a court-appointed and judge-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recommended filing an appeal against the bail order.

Two reports of Justice (retd) Rakesh Kumar Jain monitoring the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Lakhimpur Kheri violent incidents had recommended filing an appeal in the top court seeking cancellation of Ashish’s bail.

In an affidavit filed in response to a petition by family members of killed farmers, the Uttar Pradesh Government asserted that it had vehemently opposed Ashish Mishra’s bail application before the high court.

“Furthermore, the impugned order being of February 10, 2022, the limitation period against the same is still running, and the decision to file a special leave petition (SLP) against the same, is pending consideration before the relevant authorities,” it said.

Verdict at 10.30 am

A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana — which had reserved its verdict on April 4 — is expected to pronounce it at 10:30 am on Monday.