Supreme Court strict on charges of threatening witnesses of Lakhimpur violence, seeking report from police in Teni case

Supreme Court: The court has sought a report from the UP Police on the allegations of influencing witnesses against the main accused and former Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra Teni. The Supreme Court said that the SP of Lakhimpur Kheri should investigate the matter and submit a full report. The accused's lawyer Siddharth Dave denied the allegations.

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:55 PM (IST)
Supreme Court strict on charges of threatening witnesses of Lakhimpur violence, seeking report from police in Teni case
Supreme Court strict on charges of threatening witnesses of Lakhimpur violence, seeking report from police in Teni case

The Supreme Court has taken a tough stand on the allegations of threatening witnesses in the Lakhimpur violence case that took place in 2021. The court has sought a report from the UP Police on the allegations of influencing witnesses against the main accused and former Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra Teni. The Supreme Court said that the SP of Lakhimpur Kheri should investigate the matter and submit a full report.

In the Supreme Court, a bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice N Kotishwar Singh expressed strong displeasure over the allegations of threatening witnesses. At the same time, Siddharth Dave, the lawyer of accused Ashish Mishra, denied the allegations. The accused's lawyer said that every time the matter comes before the court, such claims are made to cancel the bail granted by the apex court. His client is being unnecessarily targeted.

The lawyer for the complainants, Prashant Bhushan said that he has audio recordings of trying to influence important witnesses in the case. He alleged that Ashish Mishra attended a public meeting in violation of bail conditions. He sought cancellation of Ashish Mishra's bail. Prashant Bhushan said that the court can find out the truth of the allegations.

The bench then asked Bhushan and Dave to give their material to the standing counsel of the Uttar Pradesh government, Ruchira Goyal, so that the latter may forward it to the SP of Lakhimpur Kheri. The next hearing of the case will be after four weeks.

The Supreme Court had earlier granted bail to Ashish Mishra on July 22 but ordered him not to stay in Delhi and Lucknow to ensure that he could not influence the witnesses. After this, on September 26, the apex court allowed Ashish Mishra to stay in the National Capital Region.

It is pertinent to mention here that on October 3, 2021, farmers protested against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya to Lakhimpur. In that, four farmers were crushed to death by a car. A journalist also died in the violence. Ashish Mishra is the main accused in this case. Enraged farmers also beat the driver of the car and two BJP workers to death after the incident.

Muskan Kumawat Journalist & Content Writer