The Uttar Pradesh police have cleared former Union Minister Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish Mishra of witness intimidation allegations related to the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, informing the Supreme Court on Thursday that the duo has not been named in the relevant chargesheet.
The Supreme Court was also informed that the trial in the principal Lakhimpur Kheri murder case is on track to finish within approximately three months. Consequently, a three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana adjourned the hearing on Ashish Mishra’s bail application until next month to monitor further trial developments.
Witness Intimidation Investigation Concluded
The apex court noted that a separate investigation into the alleged harassment of witnesses has concluded with a chargesheet filed against another individual, Amandeep Singh, of which the magistrate has already taken cognizance.
Senior counsel Siddharth Dave, representing Ashish Mishra, pointed out that the completed probe effectively exonerated both Mishras. He argued that because the chargesheet has been submitted and the Mishras have been cleared, any remaining grievances regarding the matter should be raised before a local magistrate rather than being kept active in the Supreme Court.
Status Of Main Trial
Addressing the main murder trial, the court reviewed an updated progress report indicating that 62 prosecution witnesses are still left to testify. Dave informed the bench of the projected three-month timeline for concluding the remaining testimonies.
This progress follows the Supreme Court’s dissatisfaction expressed on May 8 this year regarding the trial’s slow movement, during which it pointed out that no witnesses had been examined for two consecutive months. Following those observations, the apex court had ordered the trial court judge to secure witness attendance, expedite the proceedings in a time-bound manner, and directed state authorities to submit regular status reports.
Background Of Lakhimpur Kheri Violence
The case originates from the deadly clashes on October 3, 2021, in Tikunia, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district. The violence erupted during a demonstration by local farmers protesting a scheduled visit by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
The confrontation turned fatal when a sports utility vehicle ran over and killed four farmers. In the ensuing retaliation, angry demonstrators allegedly lynched a driver and two BJP workers. A local journalist also lost their life during the incident. Legal proceedings began in earnest after a trial court framed charges—including murder and criminal conspiracy—against Ashish Mishra and 12 other co-accused in December 2023.
