Today, On 7th August, Supreme Court slammed up the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Lakhimpur Kheri case, saying, “If found credible, police must investigate & take necessary action,” over inaction on a witness’s threat complaint against Ashish Mishra.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Lakhimpur Kheri, to verify a complaint made by a person who alleged threats and inducements to stop him from testifying in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, which involves Ashish Mishra, son of former Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra.
Justice Surya Kant, heading the bench along with Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh, stated that,
“If found credible, police must investigate and take necessary action.”
The Court also instructed that an updated status report be filed after the verification of the complaint submitted by Baljinder Singh.
The Supreme Court expressed unhappiness with the Uttar Pradesh government for not registering an FIR, despite the existence of a formal complaint. Authorities claimed the complainant had not appeared before them, which the Court found unsatisfactory.
In the same order, the bench further directed the Trial Court to try and examine as many witnesses as possible on the next scheduled hearing date, August 20.
The Lakhimpur Kheri case pertains to the killing of five people in October 2021 when vehicles in a convoy allegedly linked to Ashish Mishra ran over farmers protesting against the now-repealed farm laws. The incident sparked national outrage, especially because Mishra’s father was serving as a Union Minister at that time.
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh police for initially failing to arrest Ashish Mishra. It was only after this criticism that he was taken into custody.
The Allahabad High Court, On February 10, 2022, granted bail to Ashish Mishra.
However, this decision was set-aside by a Supreme Court bench comprising then Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Hima Kohli. The top court observed that the High Court had relied on irrelevant considerations while overlooking essential factors, and it remanded the bail application for fresh consideration.
Also Read: [Lakhimpur Kheri Violence Case] Supreme Court Grants Bail to Ex-Minister’s son
The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal filed by the families of the farmers who had lost their lives in the incident. After reconsideration, the High Court rejected Mishra’s bail application.
In January 2023, the Supreme Court granted Ashish Mishra interim bail for eight weeks, which was subsequently extended on multiple occasions. This interim bail was accompanied by several conditions and later converted into absolute bail. Mishra was allowed to reside either in Delhi or Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
In November 2024, the Supreme Court asked Ashish Mishra to respond to accusations related to the intimidation of witnesses. In January 2025, the Court ordered the Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into these allegations.
Later, in May, the Court relaxed the conditions attached to Mishra’s bail, permitting him to visit Lakhimpur Kheri every Saturday evening to be with his family.
However, it specified that he must return to Lucknow by Sunday evening. The Court also made it clear that while in Lakhimpur Kheri, Mishra must not take part in public events or political activities, and the visits should be strictly private and only with family members.
Case Title: Ashish Mishra Alias Monu v. State of U.P.
Case Number: Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 7857 of 2022