Lakhimpur Kheri farmer deaths: Union minister's son Ashish Mishra granted bail by Supreme Court

Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra's son Ashish was granted bail by the Supreme Court on 25 January 2023. Mishra secured relief for 8 weeks but cannot live in UP or Delhi and its nearby areas, as per reports.

He is an accused in the case of deaths of 4 farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri on 3 October 2021. Police have said that Ashish Mishra was present in the car which allegedly mowed down 4 farmers during a protest. Subsequently, the driver of the car, 2 BJP workers, and a journalist were lynched allegedly by angry farmers.

On 26 July 2022, the Allahabad High Court had rejected the bail plea of Ashish Mishra. He had challenged the high court's order in the apex court.

During the hearing on January 19, the top court had observed that an accused should not be incarcerated for an indefinite period unless proven guilty of an offence. While reserving its order on the plea, the bench had said it is a case of balancing the rights of the parties.

Opposing the bail plea, Additional Advocate General for Uttar Pradesh Garima Prashad had said it was a grave and heinous crime and granting bail will send a wrong signal to society. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for those opposing the bail plea, had said enlarging Mishra on bail will send a terrible message to society.

(With PTI inputs)