Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan also approved bail for farmers involved in the case and instructed the trial court to expediate Proceedings.
![[Lakhimpur Kheri Violence Case] Supreme Court Grants Bail to Ex-Minister's son](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-81-1.png?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: On Monday (22nd July): The Supreme Court granted bail to Ashish Mishra, the son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra, in connection with the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence that resulted in eight deaths. His movement has been restricted to Delhi or Lucknow.
Previously, on January 25 of the last year, the Court had granted him interim bail in relation to this “tragic incident.”
Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan also approved bail for farmers involved in the case and instructed the trial court to accelerate proceedings.
“Given all the circumstances, the interim order is now final. Out of 117 witnesses, only seven have been examined so far. We believe the trial proceedings need to be expedited.
“We instruct the trial court to set a schedule, considering other urgent matters but prioritizing this case,” the bench stated.
READ ALSO: Supreme Court Adjusts Bail Terms for Lakhimpur Kheri Accused, Ashish Mishra
The Lakhimpur Kheri case dates back to October 3, 2021, when violence erupted during a protest by farmers against the now-revoked farm laws, resulting in the death of eight people in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. The protestors had obstructed the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who had planned to attend an event in the area.
Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh Police’s special investigation team (SIT) filed a 5,000-page chargesheet before a local court, naming Ashish Mishra as the prime accused in the case. In November 2021, a trial court rejected Mishra’s application for bail, leading him to approach the Allahabad High Court.
Initially, the High Court granted bail to Mishra on February 10, 2022, stating the possibility that the driver of the vehicle, which mowed down the protesting farmers, accelerated to save himself. However, the Supreme Court canceled the bail granted by the High Court in April 2022 and remanded the matter back to the High Court for fresh consideration.
On July 26, 2022, the High Court denied Mishra bail, prompting him to file an appeal before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, in December 2022, the trial court in Uttar Pradesh framed murder charges against Mishra. The charges include rioting, murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
