Lakhimpur Kheri violence: UP government opposes bail to Ashish Mishra, says crime is grave
The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, who challenged the Allahabad High Court order in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday opposed bail for Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son, Ashish Mishra, one of the accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and told the Supreme Court that the charges levelled against him are grave in nature and could send a wrong signal to society.
Citing the reason behind denying his bail, Additional Advocate General for Uttar Pradesh Garima Prashad told a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice JK Maheshwari that the crime is grave and heinous.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for UP, said the grant of bail would send a terrible message to society. It’s a conspiracy and a well-planned murder, he said, adding that he can show from the charge sheet. He stated that he is the son of a powerful man and is being represented by a powerful lawyer.
Mukul Rohatgi, Mishra’s senior advocate, strongly opposed Dave’s statement and stated that the complainant Jagjeet Singh is not an eyewitness and his complaint is just based on hearsay. Rohatgi in Mishra’s defence said that his client had been in custody for more than a year and if the trial goes this way then it would take seven to eight years to close the case, adding that Mishra is not a criminal and there are no past records.
On December 6 last year, a trial court had framed charges against Ashish Mishra and 12 others with several offences, including murder and criminal conspiracy, clearing the path for the trial to begin.
For the unversed, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur district’s Tikunia when an SUV belonging to Ashish Mishra mowed down four farmers during their protest. Following the incident, two BJP leaders, and a driver were lynched by furious farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.
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