News Analysis India

Tag: Lakhimpur Kheri

  • LS polls: Farmers of Lakhimpur Kheri await justice

    Amid the rising political heat, people in Tikunia area of Lakhimpur Kheri still remember the unforgettable incident that shook the country three years ago.

    Eight people including a journalist and four farmers were killed when violence broke out after an SUV ran over a group of protesting farmers in October of 2021.

    “I pass by this place everyday. We have tried a lot to forget what happened here but every time we approach this place, the images of that day flash before our eyes,” said Manjeet Singh, a resident of Tikunia pointing towards the ground where the farmers held the protest against the three controversial farm laws, which have been scrapped now. This ground lies on one side of the narrow road leading towards Tikunia, a small town located on the northern most corner of Lakhimpur Kheri district, over 215 km away from state capital Lucknow. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States”The ground is a constant reminder of how nothing happens to a person with political influence,” said Satwant Singh, another Tikunia resident who participated in the protest and was a witness to the incidents. Ashish Mishra ‘Monu’, the son of Union minister Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’, was made an accused in the case. Ashish Mishra was arrested after the incidents but is currently out on bail. “Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ was awarded by the BJP for the incident. The party did nothing to him and has now given him a ticket for the Lok Sabha polls,” said Rajdeep Singh, another resident who was injured in the incident. The BJP has renominated Ajay Mishra from the Lakhimpur Kheri seat. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded Utkarsh Verma and the BSP Anshay Kalra. Voting will be held on May 13.

    The 2021 incident occurred in Tikunia but almost all the victims were from different places in the district.

    Mandeep Singh, the son of an elderly farmer Nacchatar Singh who was killed after being run over by the SUV, said, “We were shown how important we are in the incident. Nobody from the government has till date asked about us. We want this to change, we want to see the accused behind bars.”

    Singh declined to comment on the ongoing elections but said he wants to see a change. “Like every other farmer and local we want to see a change.”

    Surendra Singh, a relative of another victim Lovepreet Singh and also a member of farmers union, said, “This was an attack on farmers who produce grains to feed the entire country. We will continue to fight for justice.”

    The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait) unit in Lakhimpur Kheri had objected to the candidature of Ajay Mishra.

    “This is nothing but disrespect to those killed in Tikunia and all farmers. The farmers will respond to this by their votes,” said Surinder Singh Virk, an office bearer of the farmers union.

    Though farmers, especially from the Sikh community in Tikunia and nearby areas, express anger over the incident, the same emotion is not reflected by people of other communities, particularly outside Tikunia.

    “What happened in Tikunia was wrong, nobody will support such an act but we need to come together and move ahead for development of Lakhimpur,” said Prabhat Singh, a former village head in Palia area of the district.

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav has talked about the episode in his public meeting held here but his party candidate Utkarsh Verma has made only passing reference in his public meetings.

    BSP’s Kalra, who himself comes from the Sikh community, has raised the issue in his public meetings in Palia and Nighasan area.

  • Trial in Lakhimpur Kheri violence case not ‘slow-paced’, says SC

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the trial in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, in which Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish is among those facing prosecution, is not “slow-paced” and directed the concerned sessions judge to keep apprising it about the future developments of the trial.  

    The remark was made by a bench of Justice Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari. “We are receiving reports regularly from the trial Judge. Some witnesses have been examined partly. Cross-examination took place in part,” the bench had remarked.

    The report was submitted in compliance with SC’s January 25 order which it had passed in the bail application filed by Mishra. While granting Mishra interim bail of eight weeks SC had directed the lower court to submit the progress of the report of the trial to it after every date of hearing with details of witnesses examined on each date. 

    The court on Tuesday also directed for a continuation of its interim order. For Mishra, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that his client has been attending all the hearings pursuant to the grant of bail. 

    Although advocate Prashant Bhushan expressed concerns with regard to the pace at which the trial was proceeding, the bench said, “We can assure you that trial is not slow-paced.” 

    The court also said that it in future might withdraw its order when the trial is on the right path & the proceedings are continuing “smoothly” but right now the same was required. 

    Also in the top court

    ‘Thackeray faction wanted Speaker to usurp powers of EC’

    The ruling Eknath Shinde camp in Maharashtra told the SC on Tuesday the rival side led by Uddhav Thackeray wanted the Speaker of the state assembly to “usurp” the powers of the Election Commission when the floor test was ordered by the Governor during the 2022 political crisis.  Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the Shinde bloc, told a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had in its 1994 verdict said a floor test is the litmus test of democracy and a chief minister cannot shy away from it.

    Nagaland govt to ensure fair elections

    On being informed that the Nagaland government has deliberated on the conduct of the urban local body (ULB) elections by May 16 this year with 33% women reservation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state election commission and the state govt to make arrangements to ensure a free and fair election is conducted. The bench headed by Justice SK Kaul said that individuals in violations would be in breach of orders of this court. The court also directed for not to disturb the schedule and the election process to be conducted as per schedule. 

    Plea to challenge ‘special class’ of advocates

    The SC has agreed to hear a plea filed by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara against designating advocates as “senior” under Sections 16 and 23(5) of the Advocates Act, 1961, on March 20. It was argued in the plea that a special class of advocates with special rights, privileges and status is not available to ordinary advocates, is unconstitutional and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. This has created a class of advocates with special rights which has been reserved only for the kith and kin of judges and senior advocates, politicians, ministers etc., resulting in the legal industry being “monopolised”. 

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the trial in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, in which Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish is among those facing prosecution, is not “slow-paced” and directed the concerned sessions judge to keep apprising it about the future developments of the trial.  

    The remark was made by a bench of Justice Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari. “We are receiving reports regularly from the trial Judge. Some witnesses have been examined partly. Cross-examination took place in part,” the bench had remarked.

    The report was submitted in compliance with SC’s January 25 order which it had passed in the bail application filed by Mishra. While granting Mishra interim bail of eight weeks SC had directed the lower court to submit the progress of the report of the trial to it after every date of hearing with details of witnesses examined on each date. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The court on Tuesday also directed for a continuation of its interim order. For Mishra, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that his client has been attending all the hearings pursuant to the grant of bail. 

    Although advocate Prashant Bhushan expressed concerns with regard to the pace at which the trial was proceeding, the bench said, “We can assure you that trial is not slow-paced.” 

    The court also said that it in future might withdraw its order when the trial is on the right path & the proceedings are continuing “smoothly” but right now the same was required. 

    Also in the top court

    ‘Thackeray faction wanted Speaker to usurp powers of EC’

    The ruling Eknath Shinde camp in Maharashtra told the SC on Tuesday the rival side led by Uddhav Thackeray wanted the Speaker of the state assembly to “usurp” the powers of the Election Commission when the floor test was ordered by the Governor during the 2022 political crisis.  Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the Shinde bloc, told a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had in its 1994 verdict said a floor test is the litmus test of democracy and a chief minister cannot shy away from it.

    Nagaland govt to ensure fair elections

    On being informed that the Nagaland government has deliberated on the conduct of the urban local body (ULB) elections by May 16 this year with 33% women reservation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state election commission and the state govt to make arrangements to ensure a free and fair election is conducted. The bench headed by Justice SK Kaul said that individuals in violations would be in breach of orders of this court. The court also directed for not to disturb the schedule and the election process to be conducted as per schedule. 

    Plea to challenge ‘special class’ of advocates

    The SC has agreed to hear a plea filed by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara against designating advocates as “senior” under Sections 16 and 23(5) of the Advocates Act, 1961, on March 20. It was argued in the plea that a special class of advocates with special rights, privileges and status is not available to ordinary advocates, is unconstitutional and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. This has created a class of advocates with special rights which has been reserved only for the kith and kin of judges and senior advocates, politicians, ministers etc., resulting in the legal industry being “monopolised”. 

  • Lakhimpur Kheri violence: How long can we keep Ashish Mishra in custody, asks Supreme Court

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government as to how long Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra, can be kept in custody, and directed the sessions court to specify the tentative time schedule for concluding the trial in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri.

    The top court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government, which opposed the bail plea of Ashish Mishra terming the offence as “very grave”, to file an affidavit with regard to the status of the second case lodged over the killing of three occupants of the SUV, which allegedly mowed down the farmers.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Krishna Murari said it needs to balance the interest of all the parties including the accused, the victims and society at large.

    “Question is how long can we keep him (Ashish Mishra) in custody. We have to see that the accused, who is inside the jail for over one year, also has rights. Now the charge sheet has been filed and charges have been framed. The victims and witnesses also have their rights. Even society also has interest in the case. Now, we have to balance all the rights in the case,” it said.

    The bench also asked the Additional District and Sessions judge hearing the second case, related to the killing of the occupants of the car, to consider the desirability of framing charges.

    It asked the Registrar (judicial) of the apex court to write to the Additional Sessions Judge, Lakhimpur Kheri, to indicate the time schedule for concluding the trial in the case, keeping in mind other pending cases and already prioritised cases with him.

    “He has been inside the jail on our orders. We cannot keep him indefinitely but the question is at what stage should we consider his bail,” the bench told Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government.

    Prashad said the charges against him are “very grave” and the charge sheet was filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the apex court after an elaborate probe.

    The bench pointed out since there are 212 witnesses the trial is going to take time.

    Prashad said Mishra’s discharge application has been dismissed, the charges have been framed by the sessions court and the trial is to commence from December 16.

    “We have given protection to all the key witnesses in the case,” she said.

    The bench said it was a good step and the state should also provide security to any other vulnerable witnesses in the case, if they come forward during the trial.

    At the outset, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Ashish Mishra, said at the time of the incident, where an SUV mowed down the protesting farmers, the accused was not on the spot but present at a wrestling ground where senior UP ministers were to come.

    “There are photographs of him at the wrestling ground, mobile phone locations of the time when the incident has taken place. He was not in the driving seat and another co-accused was seen coming out of the vehicle,” he said.

    The bench said it will not go into the merits of the case and it is for the trial court to see Mishra’s defence of alibi and whether it was a case of section 304 (culpable homicide) or 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC.

    Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the victims, said it is a settled principle that when the trial court and the high court have denied bail, the top court will not interfere with the concurrent decisions.

    The bench told Dave, “This will be a very dangerous proposition. Every day in and out we are granting bail to those who have been denied bail by the high court or the trial court. You see, problem is we have to balance the rights of everyone. At what stage we should intervene is the question. There are over 200 witnesses and trial is going to take time. Trial cannot happen on day to day basis. We only want that fair trial should not be compromised and witnesses or victims can depose freely, without any fear or coercion,” the bench said.

    Dave said the accused are very influential people and there are hundreds of ways to threaten the witnesses or victim families.

    The bench has posted the matter for next hearing on January 11.

    On December 6, the trial court had framed charges against Ashish Mishra and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

    A total of 13 accused, including Ashish Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

    The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara.

    All of them are in jail.

    On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri district during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against the then Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

    Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR.

    Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers.

    A journalist also died in the violence.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government as to how long Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra, can be kept in custody, and directed the sessions court to specify the tentative time schedule for concluding the trial in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri.

    The top court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government, which opposed the bail plea of Ashish Mishra terming the offence as “very grave”, to file an affidavit with regard to the status of the second case lodged over the killing of three occupants of the SUV, which allegedly mowed down the farmers.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Krishna Murari said it needs to balance the interest of all the parties including the accused, the victims and society at large.

    “Question is how long can we keep him (Ashish Mishra) in custody. We have to see that the accused, who is inside the jail for over one year, also has rights. Now the charge sheet has been filed and charges have been framed. The victims and witnesses also have their rights. Even society also has interest in the case. Now, we have to balance all the rights in the case,” it said.

    The bench also asked the Additional District and Sessions judge hearing the second case, related to the killing of the occupants of the car, to consider the desirability of framing charges.

    It asked the Registrar (judicial) of the apex court to write to the Additional Sessions Judge, Lakhimpur Kheri, to indicate the time schedule for concluding the trial in the case, keeping in mind other pending cases and already prioritised cases with him.

    “He has been inside the jail on our orders. We cannot keep him indefinitely but the question is at what stage should we consider his bail,” the bench told Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government.

    Prashad said the charges against him are “very grave” and the charge sheet was filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the apex court after an elaborate probe.

    The bench pointed out since there are 212 witnesses the trial is going to take time.

    Prashad said Mishra’s discharge application has been dismissed, the charges have been framed by the sessions court and the trial is to commence from December 16.

    “We have given protection to all the key witnesses in the case,” she said.

    The bench said it was a good step and the state should also provide security to any other vulnerable witnesses in the case, if they come forward during the trial.

    At the outset, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Ashish Mishra, said at the time of the incident, where an SUV mowed down the protesting farmers, the accused was not on the spot but present at a wrestling ground where senior UP ministers were to come.

    “There are photographs of him at the wrestling ground, mobile phone locations of the time when the incident has taken place. He was not in the driving seat and another co-accused was seen coming out of the vehicle,” he said.

    The bench said it will not go into the merits of the case and it is for the trial court to see Mishra’s defence of alibi and whether it was a case of section 304 (culpable homicide) or 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC.

    Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the victims, said it is a settled principle that when the trial court and the high court have denied bail, the top court will not interfere with the concurrent decisions.

    The bench told Dave, “This will be a very dangerous proposition. Every day in and out we are granting bail to those who have been denied bail by the high court or the trial court. You see, problem is we have to balance the rights of everyone. At what stage we should intervene is the question. There are over 200 witnesses and trial is going to take time. Trial cannot happen on day to day basis. We only want that fair trial should not be compromised and witnesses or victims can depose freely, without any fear or coercion,” the bench said.

    Dave said the accused are very influential people and there are hundreds of ways to threaten the witnesses or victim families.

    The bench has posted the matter for next hearing on January 11.

    On December 6, the trial court had framed charges against Ashish Mishra and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

    A total of 13 accused, including Ashish Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

    The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara.

    All of them are in jail.

    On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri district during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against the then Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

    Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR.

    Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers.

    A journalist also died in the violence.

  • Court frames charges against Ashish Mishra, 12 others in murder of Lakhimpur Kheri farmers

    By PTI

    LAKHIMPUR KHERI: A court here on Tuesday framed charges against Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

    Additional District Judge Sunil Kumar Verma has now fixed the next hearing on December 16, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Arvind Tripathi told PTI.

    Tripathi said that 13 accused, including Ashish Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of Motor Vehicle Act.

    Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra, is the main accused in the case.

    ALSO READ | Nothing can be more insulting: Congress on minister’s continuation on 1st anniversary of Lakhimpur Kheri violence

    The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara. All of them are in jail.

    The 14th accused, Virendra Shukla, who is out on bail, has been charged under section 201 of IPC which is related to causing the disappearance of evidence of an offence or giving false information to screen the offender.

    The primary object of framing of charge is to tell the accused person precisely about what the prosecution intends to prove against him.

    Charges under various sections of the Arms Act were also framed against Ashish Mishra, Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Latif Kale and Sumit Jaiswal, Tripathi said.

    On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

    ALSO READ | How long will PM continue to save tainted ministers: Priyanka on Ajay Mishra’s remarks on farm leader

    Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR.

    Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers.

    A journalist also died in the violence.

    The 14 accused will be tried in the case related to the death of four farmers and the journalist.

    LAKHIMPUR KHERI: A court here on Tuesday framed charges against Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

    Additional District Judge Sunil Kumar Verma has now fixed the next hearing on December 16, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Arvind Tripathi told PTI.

    Tripathi said that 13 accused, including Ashish Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of Motor Vehicle Act.

    Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra, is the main accused in the case.

    ALSO READ | Nothing can be more insulting: Congress on minister’s continuation on 1st anniversary of Lakhimpur Kheri violence

    The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara. All of them are in jail.

    The 14th accused, Virendra Shukla, who is out on bail, has been charged under section 201 of IPC which is related to causing the disappearance of evidence of an offence or giving false information to screen the offender.

    The primary object of framing of charge is to tell the accused person precisely about what the prosecution intends to prove against him.

    Charges under various sections of the Arms Act were also framed against Ashish Mishra, Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Latif Kale and Sumit Jaiswal, Tripathi said.

    On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

    ALSO READ | How long will PM continue to save tainted ministers: Priyanka on Ajay Mishra’s remarks on farm leader

    Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR.

    Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers.

    A journalist also died in the violence.

    The 14 accused will be tried in the case related to the death of four farmers and the journalist.

  • Nothing can be more insulting: Congress on minister’s continuation on 1st anniversary of Lakhimpur Kheri violence

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: On the first anniversary of Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the Congress on Monday attacked the Modi government over the continuation of Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ as a minister as it cited the alleged involvement of his son in mowing down of farmers protesting against the three farm laws that have now been repealed.

    “Nothing can be more insulting that the farmers agitating against the black laws were deliberately killed while the culprit remains a member of the Union council of ministers,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters.

    There was clear evidence that the minister’s son was involved in the killing, he alleged.

    Mishra’s son Ashish Misra was arrested in the case after four farmers were crushed under the wheels of a convoy of cars and four others, including two BJP workers, were killed in apparently retaliatory violence.

    The Congress also reiterated its support to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which had spearheaded the farmers’ agitation against three farm laws, especially its demand for a legal guarantee to the minimum support price for farm produce.

    Bowing to the protests, the government had scrapped the laws.

    ALSO READ | How long will PM continue to save tainted ministers: Priyanka on Ajay Mishra’s remarks on farm leader

    NEW DELHI: On the first anniversary of Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the Congress on Monday attacked the Modi government over the continuation of Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ as a minister as it cited the alleged involvement of his son in mowing down of farmers protesting against the three farm laws that have now been repealed.

    “Nothing can be more insulting that the farmers agitating against the black laws were deliberately killed while the culprit remains a member of the Union council of ministers,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters.

    There was clear evidence that the minister’s son was involved in the killing, he alleged.

    Mishra’s son Ashish Misra was arrested in the case after four farmers were crushed under the wheels of a convoy of cars and four others, including two BJP workers, were killed in apparently retaliatory violence.

    The Congress also reiterated its support to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which had spearheaded the farmers’ agitation against three farm laws, especially its demand for a legal guarantee to the minimum support price for farm produce.

    Bowing to the protests, the government had scrapped the laws.

    ALSO READ | How long will PM continue to save tainted ministers: Priyanka on Ajay Mishra’s remarks on farm leader

  • Priyanka Gandhi slams BJP govt after 2 minor girls, sisters, were found hanging from a tree in UP’s Lakhimpur

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday over reports that the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri, asking why heinous crimes against women and girls are on the rise in the state.

    According to media reports, the two girls were found hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district on Wednesday.

    “The killings of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. The relatives say that the girls were abducted in broad daylight,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Giving false advertisements in newspapers and television every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in Uttar Pradesh?” the Congress general secretary asked.

    When will the government wake up, she asked and shared a media report on Twitter that said the bodies of the girls were found hanging from a tree after they were abducted by three men.

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday over reports that the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri, asking why heinous crimes against women and girls are on the rise in the state.

    According to media reports, the two girls were found hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district on Wednesday.

    “The killings of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. The relatives say that the girls were abducted in broad daylight,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Giving false advertisements in newspapers and television every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in Uttar Pradesh?” the Congress general secretary asked.

    When will the government wake up, she asked and shared a media report on Twitter that said the bodies of the girls were found hanging from a tree after they were abducted by three men.

  • Lakhimpur Kheri case: HC reserves order on key accused Ashish Mishra’s bail plea

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court reserved its order after completing hearing on the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ and key accused in Lakhimpur Kheri violence, on Friday.

    It may be recalled that the violent incident which had taken place on 2/3 October 2021, had resulted in the loss of eight lives including four farmers who were allegedly trampled by Ashish Mishra alias Monu.

    The single judge bench, comprising Justice Krishna Pahel, reserved the order on Ashish’s bail plea.

    During the hearing, it was submitted on behalf of Ashish Mishra that at the time of the incident, he was not present at the place of the occurrence. 

    “Nor was there any witness who heard him saying to run over farmers as there was a huge crowd and siren of police vehicles were blowing at the site,” argued Ashish’s lawyer. 

    He also contended there were affidavits given by 197 persons claiming that Ashish Mishra was present in the village and not at the site of the incident.

    Earlier, the High Court had granted bail to Ashish on February 10, 2022 complying which the accused was released from the Lakhimpur district jail on February 15 but as the matter reached Supreme Court, the bail was dismissed and the apex court directed the High court to decide his bail plea after giving adequate opportunity to the victim side to put its arguments.  

    Accordingly, the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court started hearing his bail plea afresh.

    While the High Court had granted bail to Ashish Mishra, it had rejected the pleas of co- accused Lavkush, Ankit Das, Sumit Jaiswal and Shishupal on May 9, 2022. 

    While rejecting their pleas, the High Court had observed that all four were actively involved in the planning of the offence and its execution in a cruel, diabolic and inhuman manner and as such did not deserve bail.

    The bench had further observed that all the four co-accused and the main accused Ashish Mishra came from influential families and the prosecution’s apprehension that they could interfere with the course of justice, tamper with the evidence and influence the witnesses, was not misplaced and cannot be ruled out at this stage.

    LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court reserved its order after completing hearing on the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’ and key accused in Lakhimpur Kheri violence, on Friday.

    It may be recalled that the violent incident which had taken place on 2/3 October 2021, had resulted in the loss of eight lives including four farmers who were allegedly trampled by Ashish Mishra alias Monu.

    The single judge bench, comprising Justice Krishna Pahel, reserved the order on Ashish’s bail plea.

    During the hearing, it was submitted on behalf of Ashish Mishra that at the time of the incident, he was not present at the place of the occurrence. 

    “Nor was there any witness who heard him saying to run over farmers as there was a huge crowd and siren of police vehicles were blowing at the site,” argued Ashish’s lawyer. 

    He also contended there were affidavits given by 197 persons claiming that Ashish Mishra was present in the village and not at the site of the incident.

    Earlier, the High Court had granted bail to Ashish on February 10, 2022 complying which the accused was released from the Lakhimpur district jail on February 15 but as the matter reached Supreme Court, the bail was dismissed and the apex court directed the High court to decide his bail plea after giving adequate opportunity to the victim side to put its arguments.  

    Accordingly, the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court started hearing his bail plea afresh.

    While the High Court had granted bail to Ashish Mishra, it had rejected the pleas of co- accused Lavkush, Ankit Das, Sumit Jaiswal and Shishupal on May 9, 2022. 

    While rejecting their pleas, the High Court had observed that all four were actively involved in the planning of the offence and its execution in a cruel, diabolic and inhuman manner and as such did not deserve bail.

    The bench had further observed that all the four co-accused and the main accused Ashish Mishra came from influential families and the prosecution’s apprehension that they could interfere with the course of justice, tamper with the evidence and influence the witnesses, was not misplaced and cannot be ruled out at this stage.

  • Lakhimpur Kheri court sends Alt News co-founder Zubair to 14-day judicial custody

    By PTI

    LAKHIMPUR: A court here sent Alt News Co-founder Mohammad Zubair to 14-day judicial custody in connection with a case lodged against him for allegedly promoting enmity.

    Zubair was produced in the court of the Mohammadi additional chief judicial magistrate through video conferencing, Assistant Prosecuting Officer Avadhesh Yadav said.

    The prosecution had sought police custody, a plea countered by the Zubair’s counsel. The court sent him to 14-day judicial custody, Yadav said. The next hearing on the plea for his police custody has now been fixed for July 13, he added.

    The Lakhimpur Kheri police had served a warrant on Zubair to appear in the court in connection with an FIR lodged against him for promoting enmity in 2021.

    Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Arun Kumar Singh had told PTI on Saturday, “The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Mohammadi in Kheri district has issued the warrant against Mohd Zubair, which was served by Kheri police on Friday.” Mohammadi police station incharge Ambar Singh had told PTI that the case against Zubair was lodged on November 25 by Ashish Katiyar, a reporter for a private news channel.

    “In his complaint, Katiyar had accused Zubair of misleading people through his tweet about his channel,” he said.

  • Lakhimpur Kheri case: Ashish Mishra fails to get relief from Allahabad HC after bail plea

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Ashish Mishra, the key accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, failed to get any relief from the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court which was hearing his fresh bail petition after the Supreme Court had cancelled his bail setting aside the earlier order of the Allahabad High Court which had granted him bail in February this year.

    While hearing the bail petition of Ashish Mishra afresh on Monday, Justice Krishna Pahal of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, gave no relief to the accused and ordered the state government to present its side on the petition by May 25.

    Ashish Mishra, son of MoS Ajai Mishra Teni, is facing a case of murder which he is accused of committing during a farmers’ protest that had turned violent in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021. In the incident, Mishra had allegedly ploughed his SUV into the crowd of protesting farmers crushing four of them to death on the spot.

    The High Court bench, comprising Justice Rajeev Singh, had granted bail to Ashish Mishra on February 10, 2022. Thereafter, the HC order granting bail to Mishra was challenged in the Supreme Court after an SLP was filed by the relatives of the deceased farmers.

    On April 18, the apex court had set aside the Allahabad HC order granting bail to Mishra and asked the accused to surrender within a week. The SC had even admonished the High Court for granting the bail to Mishra taking into account irrelevant considerations and denying the right of hearing to the victim.

    Ashish Mishra, in compliance with the Supreme Court order, had surrendered in Lakhimpur Kheri on April 24 and was sent to jail.

    Earlier, in the Lucknow bench itself, Judge DK Singh rejected the bail applications of four other accused including Luv Kush, Ankit Das, Sumit Jaiswal and Shishupal on Monday.

    On the other hand, in the district session and court of Lakhimpur Kheri, Vichitra Singh, one of the farmers implicated in the Tikunia violence case, has filed a discharge application. Apart from this, the remaining three accused havealso sought time to file the discharge application. The charges against the farmers who were made accused in this case were to be fixed on Monday.

  • Lakhimpur violence case: HC judge recuses himself from hearing Ashish Mishra’s bail plea afresh

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Justice Rajeev Singh of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Wednesday recused himself from hearing the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, key accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The matter would next be listed after the nomination of a new judge for hearing the plea.

    Ashish Mishra, son of MoS Ajai Mishra Teni, is facing a case of murder which he is accused of committing during a farmers’ protest that had turned violent in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021. In the incident, Mishra had allegedly ploughed his SUV into the crowd of protesting farmers crushing four of them to death on the spot.

    The High Court bench, comprising Justice Rajeev Singh, had granted bail to Ashish Mishra on February 10, 2022. Thereafter, the HC order granting bail to Mishra was challenged in the Supreme Court of India after an SLP was filed by the relatives of the deceased farmers.

    On April 18, the apex court had set aside the Allahabad HC order granting bail to Mishra and asked the accused to surrender within a week. The SC had even admonished the High Court for granting the bail to Mishra taking into account irrelevant considerations and denying the right of hearing to the victim. Cancelling the bail granted to Ashish Mishra, the apex court sent back his bail application to the High Court for a fresh decision on merits after affording the right of hearing to the victim.

    Following the order of the apex court, Mishra surrendered on April 24 and was sent to jail. Accordingly, the bail petition was listed before the Lucknow Bench of the High Court on Wednesday. As it came up before Justice Rajeev Singh, who had earlier allowed Ashish’s plea, he recused himself from hearing and directed the office to lay the file before the Chief Justice for a fresh nomination of judge.