Lakhimpur Kheri Case: SC Grants Ashish Mishra Diwali Visit to Hometown
The Supreme Court grants Ashish Mishra permission to celebrate Diwali in Lakhimpur Kheri under strict conditions.
In a significant development regarding the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, the Supreme Court has allowed accused Ashish Mishra to travel to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the festival of Diwali with his family. Ashish Mishra is the son of Ajay Mishra Teni, the former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Court Grants Relief Based on Precedent
The decision was delivered by a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant. The relief was granted after Mishra's legal counsel pointed out that the court had previously approved a similar request for the accused to visit his family during the Diwali celebrations last year.
While granting the permission, the apex court took note of an undertaking provided by Ashish Mishra, stating that he will depart from his hometown by November 16.
Strict Conditions Imposed
The Supreme Court has not given Mishra a free pass; the visit is subject to stringent conditions to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings. The court has mandated that:
- Mishra must spend time strictly and exclusively with his family members.
- He is prohibited from making any attempts to influence or contact any witnesses named in the case.
The Backdrop of the Violence
The legal battle stems from an incident on October 3, 2021, in Lakhimpur Kheri. The case involves the deaths of eight individuals, including four farmers. The tragedy occurred when an SUV, allegedly belonging to Ashish Mishra, ran over farmers who were protesting against the then-active three farm laws, which have since been repealed by the Centre.
Administrative Shifts in the Trial
During the proceedings, the Uttar Pradesh government updated the court on several administrative changes within the case. It was revealed that the trial judge has been replaced by another judge as part of a standard administrative shift. Additionally, a new Special Public Prosecutor has been appointed to handle the matter.
Concerns Over Trial Conduct
These changes come amidst a backdrop of scrutiny. Last month, the Supreme Court directed the UP government to respond to a request for appointing a more experienced senior public prosecutor to lead the trial.
Furthermore, the apex court has sought a sealed-cover report from the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court regarding how the new judge is handling the trial. This move follows concerns raised by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the complainants, who questioned the conduct of both the newly appointed trial judge and the public prosecutor, specifically concerning their interactions with key eyewitnesses.