Supreme Court Grants Bail to Ashish Mishra in Lakhimpur Kheri Case, Orders Expedited Hearing
The Supreme Court of India granted bail to Ashish Mishra, son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra, in connection with the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence that resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including four farmers. The court has imposed restrictions on Mishra’s movement, allowing him to remain only in Delhi or Lucknow, and has directed the trial court to expedite proceedings in the case. This decision follows an earlier interim bail granted in January 2023.
The Lakhimpur Kheri incident occurred on October 3, 2021, when a violent confrontation erupted during a farmers’ protest against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit. The violence saw four farmers run over by an SUV, with subsequent lynching of a driver and two BJP workers by enraged farmers. A journalist was also killed amidst the turmoil. Despite significant delays in the trial, the Supreme Court has now instructed the trial court to prioritize the case, aiming to hasten the examination of witnesses.
In a related development, the court has also granted bail to four farmers involved in the case and called for a swift resolution. The trial has seen only a small fraction of witnesses examined to date, prompting concerns from victim advocates about the sluggish pace of justice. The Supreme Court’s order to expedite the trial underscores its commitment to ensuring timely legal proceedings in high-profile cases.
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