SC raps UP govt, as cops fail to arrest murder accused, including Union minister’s son Ashish Mishra, in farmers’ deaths under car
A vehicle set ablaze after a BJP convoy mowed down protesting farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Pic/PTI
The Supreme Court on Friday said it is not satisfied with steps taken by the UP government in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. Eight people, including four farmers who were mowed down by the BJP convoy, were killed on October 3. The SC questioned the government over not arresting the accused. It also asked the state whether accused in other cases lodged under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC are treated the same way. Ashish Mishra, son of a Union minister, is a key accused in the case and is yet to be arrested.
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A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana told senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the Yogi Adityanath-led state government, to communicate to the top most police officer that evidence and other relevant materials in the case are not destroyed. “What is the message you [state] are sending,” said the bench. “If you see the FIR, section 302 is there. Is it the same way you treat other accused,” the bench asked, while terming it as a “very serious charge”. It posted the matter for hearing on October 20.
A cop pastes a summon notice outside Union minister Ajay Mishra’s house, for his son Ashish, at Lakhimpur Kheri, on Thursday. Pic/PTI
Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri during a protest on October 3. Two BJP workers and a driver were beaten to death allegedly by the angry protesters, while a local journalist was also killed.
Police had filed a murder case against Ashish, son of Union MoS (Home) Ajay Kumar Mishra, and summoned him for questioning on Friday but he didn’t show up. They have issued a fresh notice, asking Ashish to appear before them by 11 am on Saturday.
Yogi Adityanath
Hours later, Ajay Mishra told reporters his son was not well and that “he will appear before the police tomorrow and give his statement and evidence as he is innocent”. The latest notice, pasted outside Ajay’s house on Friday afternoon, warned that legal action will be initiated against Ashish if he fails to appear on Saturday.
Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said there will be no injustice with anyone and no action will be taken under any pressure, amid the Opposition’s demand to arrest Ashish. On allegations that attempts are being made to save Ashish, he said, “There’s no such video. We have issued numbers, and if anyone has evidence, they can upload it. All will be crystal clear. There will be no injustice with anyone. No one will be allowed to take the law in his hand but no action will be taken under any pressure.”
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