Ashish Mishra Permitted Diwali Visit Amid Lakhimpur Trial

New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) — The Supreme Court has permitted Ashish Mishra, son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra and an accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur violence case, to visit his hometown on October 20 for Diwali celebrations with his family. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi reiterated the earlier condition that political workers or the public must not participate in these celebrations in any capacity.

The court noted that, in relation to the trial, 23 witnesses have been examined while nine have been dropped. It instructed the Uttar Pradesh police to submit a status report on the investigation. Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing Ashish Mishra, sought permission for his client to travel to Lakhimpur for Diwali, committing that Mishra would return by October 22. The apex court had previously ordered Mishra to remain outside Lakhimpur until the trial concludes.

During the proceedings, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing some of the victims, requested the bench to expedite the trial. However, the court remarked that doing so would lead to the monitoring of the trial. On March 24, the Supreme Court had allowed Mishra to visit his family in Lakhimpur Kheri for Ram Navami. In January, the court sought a report from the state police following allegations that Mishra was influencing witnesses in the case, though Mishra denied these claims.

He maintained that such allegations are raised each time the matter is listed to seek the cancellation of his bail, which was granted by the Supreme Court on July 22 of the previous year, restricting his movements to Delhi and Lucknow.

The violence in question occurred on October 3, 2021, in Tikunia, Lakhimpur Kheri district, during a protest by farmers against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit. Four farmers were tragically mowed down by a sports utility vehicle, and subsequently, a driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by enraged farmers. A journalist also lost his life amid the chaos.

In December 2023, the trial court framed charges against Ashish Mishra and 12 others on counts of murder, criminal conspiracy, and other penal laws concerning the fatalities of the farmers, thereby initiating the trial process.

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