Lakhimpur Kheri Violence Case: SC To Hear Plea Challenging Ashish Mishra’s Bail On March 16

On March 4, 2022, the SC agreed to take up the plea on March 11. However, it was rescheduled for March 15, today, due to an attack on one of the witnesses.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear the plea against the bail granted to Lakhimpur Kheri accused Ashish Mishra Teni on March 16, Wednesday. Earlier, the hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, but the CJI said that the bench which has already heard the case should continue with the hearing.

Hence, the hearing is rescheduled for Wednesday with the special bench. In Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri region, eight people had lost their lives including four farmers who were protesting against the now-repealed farm laws. 

Ashish Mishra Teni, son of BJP MP Ajay Mishra Teni had allegedly run over his SUV over the protesting farmers. The incident resulted in the death of four farmers and one journalist among others leading to violence in the region on October 3, 2021. 

Ashish Mishra was granted bail by Allahabad HC on February 10. The plea against the decision was filed in the SC on February 21 by the family members of the victims. On March 4, 2022, the SC agreed to take up the plea on March 11. However, it was rescheduled for March 15, today, due to an attack on one of the witnesses.

Appearing for the victims’ families, advocate Prashant Bhushan told SC bench led by CJI NV Ramana on March 11, “Last night, there was an attack on one of the prime witnesses in the case.”

The Bench then rescheduled the hearing saying, “It’s an office mistake. It will be listed next Tuesday (March 15).”

The plea against the bail order said that the decision of the Allahabad HC was “unsustainable in eyes of law as there has been no meaningful and effective assistance by the State to the court in the matter contrary to the object of the first Proviso to Section 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which provides that in grave offences notice of bail application should ordinarily be given to the Public Prosecutor.”