Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Lawyers Write To CJI NV Ramana Seeking Time-Bound CBI Probe

Two lawyers from Uttar Pradesh have written to the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana seeking a time-bound CBI probe into the recent violent incident of Lakhimpur Kheri in which a total of 8 people died, four of whom were mowed down by a vehicle allegedly being driven by the son of Union Minister and BJP MP Ajay Kumar Mishra."The latest development in the State of U.P. is a burning example as to how the issue of agriculture policy touching the livelihood of the farmers India wide engaging attention of the political masters led by the union government at New Delhi. Having regard to the seriousness of the killing of the farmers at District Lakhimpur-Khiri in Uttar Pradesh, it is incumbent upon this Hon'ble Court to intervene in the matter as flashed in the press," the letter avers.The letter has sought judicial intervention and direction against the Union Government and the Uttar Pradesh government along with the concerned bureaucrats so that the cult of violence comes to a grinding halt. Claiming that of late, violence has become the political culture in the country now, the letter written by lawyers Shiv Kumar Tripathi and C. S. Panda prays for a CBI Probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court. "...the agitating farmers have been peaceful in their protest toward the justiceability of their just demands and claims for the reasonable deal for the betterment of lot agricultural communities struggling for their livelihood within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. They are now on the road representing the multitude of the masses of the Country beset in the on-going Corona crisis without any self-interest," the letter adds.Importantly, the letter further seeks appropriate direction from the Supreme Court to the Ministry of Home, to register an FIR in the matter and 'punish' the Minister involved in the ghastly incident.It may be noted that a First Information Report (FIR) has already been lodged against the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJP MP Ajay Kumar Mishra 'Teni', Ashish Mishra alias Monu in connection with the recent violent incident of Lakhimpur Kheri, in which a total of 8 people died, four of whom were mowed down by a vehicle allegedly being driven by Mishra.The FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 302 for murder, 304-A for causing death due to reckless driving, 120-B for criminal conspiracy and 147 for rioting, 279 for rash driving, 338 for causing grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life along with other penal provisions at the Tikunia police station.In related news, a letter petition has been moved before the Allahabad High Court seeking CBI probe into the recent violent incident of Lakhimpur Kheri in which a total of 8 people died, four of whom were mowed down by a vehicle allegedly being driven by the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJP MP Ajay Kumar Mishra.About the incidentOn October 3, several farmers were holding protests against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to Lakhimpur Kheri district, when four protesting farmers were killed after they were mowed down by an SUV.Allegedly, the SUV was the part of the convoy of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJP MP Ajay Kumar MishraYesterday, the police filed a first information report against Ashish Mishra (son of minister Ajay Kumar Mishra) and several others in connection with the violence under Section 302 IPC.An alleged video of the incident has also surfaced in social media showing a group of protesters moving forward on a road next to farm fields and then being mowed down by a grey SUV that speeds up from behind.The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that a retired High Court judge will probe the Lakhimpur Kheri violence and also, 45 lakh compensation would be given to the families of the four farmers killed in the incident.

Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Lawyers Write To CJI NV Ramana Seeking Time-Bound CBI Probe

Sparsh Upadhyay

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