The Supreme Court extended the interim bail of Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish, facing prosecution in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case till September 26.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta noted that trial was going on in the case and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, on April 24 the Top Court held that it may not be possible to direct the trial court to conduct day-to-day hearings in the case as it may affect other cases pending there.
On 14 March, the Supreme Court directed the sessions judge concerned to keep apprising it about the future developments of the trial.
The court had also directed Ashish Mishra to leave Uttar Pradesh within one week of his release from jail.
On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri district’s Tikunia after violence erupted when farmers were protesting against the then Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR, four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in which Ashish Mishra was seated. Following the incident, the driver of the SUV and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.
While granting eight-week interim bail to Ashish Mishra, the bench had said any attempt made by him, his family or supporters to influence or threaten the witnesses, directly or indirectly, shall entail cancellation of interim bail.
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