Ashish Mishra & Ajay Mishra Not Involved In Witness Intimidation In Lakhimpur Kheri Case : UP Police To Supreme Court

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that its investigation has found no evidence to suggest that Ashish Mishra, or his father, former Union Minister Ajay Mishra, was involved in the alleged intimidation of witnesses in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing Mishra's plea seeking bail. He continues to be on bail granted by the Court, which is monitoring the progress of the trial.

The bench was informed about the status report filed by the State as per which the investigation into the FIR alleging witness intimidation had concluded and that nothing incriminating had been found against Mishra.

The Court recorded the contents of the status report, noting that a chargesheet had been filed against one Amandeep Singh and cognizance had been taken by the competent court. However, with respect to the alleged role of Ajay Mishra, Ashish Mishra and others, the investigation concluded that they were not involved in the alleged offence.

The Bench granted the complainant two weeks' time to file an additional affidavit in response to the status report.

The FIR over alleged witness intimidation was registered by the UP Police in October last year, after the Supreme Court criticised the Police for not acting on the complaint raised by one Baljinder Singh that he was threatened to withdraw his statement. Refusing to accept the Police's explanation that the witness did not come forward to record his statement, the Court directed a senior officer to go to the complainant to record his statement. Later, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur, traced the complaiant at Muktasar in Punjab and recorded his statement. FIR for offences under Sections 195-A, 506 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 was later registered.

The principal case arises out of the October 3, 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident in Uttar Pradesh, in which eight persons, including four farmers, were killed during violence that erupted when vehicles in a convoy allegedly linked to Ashish Mishra ran over protesting farmers. Mishra has been facing trial in that case and is presently on bail granted by the Supreme Court.

Case Title: Ashish Mishra Alias Monu v. State of U.P. SLP(Crl) No. 7857/2022