Nobody, except the accused, their one representative and lawyers, would be allowed to be present in the court during the trial in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence cases in which Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra is an accused, said the Supeme Court bench of Justice Surya Kant and J.K. Maheshwari.

Justice Surya Kant said “With a view to ensure that trial is conducted smoothly and no impediment is caused by anyone, it is directed that the accused in both the FIRs and one representative of the victim or complainant are permitted to attend the court proceedings along with their respective counsel”.

The Bench on January 25 granted an eight-week interim bail to Ashish on the condition that he would leave Uttar Pradesh within a week of his release.

Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing victims’ families, alleged that a large number of supporters of Ashish were present during trial proceedings creating an intimidatory atmosphere. While pointing out that summons to witnesses were reaching a day after the date of proceedings, Bhushan said that there was an order of the court that the accused should not try to influence the witnesses directly or indirectly.

Senior advocate Siddharh Dave, representing accused Ashish Mishra while vehemently denying the allegation, said that there were more people from the other side. He suggested that the trial could be held in-camera. “I am an accused and I am saying do it in-camera and protect me from these allegations. They want media publicity to go on”.

Noting that it wanted to ensure smooth conduct of trial, the Bench said the accused in both the FIRs and one representative each of the victim/complainant would be allowed to attend the trial court proceedings along with their advocates.

Case Details:-

SLP(Crl) No. 7857/2022

ASHISH MISHRA ALIAS MONU

Vs.

State of U.P.

Appearance of the Advocates:-

For Petitioner
Mr. Siddhartha Dave, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Daleep Dhayani, Adv.
Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Adv.
Mr. Kshitiz Mudgal, Adv.
Mr. Achal Kumar Misra, Adv.
Mr. Keshav Sehgal, Adv.
Mr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Adv.
Mr. Bhuwan Phulara, Adv.
Ms. Vidhi Thakkar, Adv.
Ms. Sugandh Rathor, Adv.
Ms. Ayushi Mittal, Adv.
Mr. Kartik Arora, Adv.
Mr. Awdhesh Choudhary, Adv.
Mr. Rajiv Kumar Dubey, Adv.
Mr. Ashutosh Kumar Sharma, Adv.
Mr. Bhuwan Chandra, Adv.
Ms. Priyanka Dubey, Adv.
Mr. Nilanjan Bhattacharya, Adv.
Mr. T. Mahipal, AOR                   

For Respondent
Mr. Prashant Bhushan, AOR
Mr. Rahul Gupta, Adv.
Ms. Alice Raj, Adv.
Mr. Akshat Malpani, Adv.
Ms. Ayushi, Adv.
Ms. Garima Prasad, Sr. AAG
Ms. Ruchira Goel, AOR
Mr. Rajat Singh, Adv.
Mr. Samarth Mohanty, Adv.
Ms. Priyanka Swami, Adv.
Mr. Adit Jayesbhai Shah, Adv.