Lakhimpur Kheri violence: SC raps UP govt over delay in investigation, says ‘you are dragging your feet’
The Supreme Court has sought a fresh status report from the UP government by next week. The hearing was adjourned to October 26.
FollowThe Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for delay in investigations in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, in which eight persons were killed.
The SC Bench said the state government appears to be dragging its feet over the case. “We think you are dragging your feet. Please dispel that impression. Make sure you protect the witnesses,” said the court while slamming the UP government over the progress in the Lakhimpur Kheri case probe.
On Wednesday, CJI NV Ramana-led bench of Supreme Court said, “We waited till late last night, but nothing was filed.” However, advocate Harish Salve appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government informed the court that the report has been filed.
Salve then apprised the Court on the status of the accused.
"A concern was stated that the State was going soft on the accused, now everybody is arrested and they are in jail. As of today, there are 10 accused inside jail. There are two crimes which was driving into farmers and the other one in which a person was lynched," he said as Bar and Bench reported.
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The Supreme Court has sought a fresh status report from the UP government by next week.
CJI Ramana asked, “You say you have examined 44 witnesses. 4 witnesses recorded 164 statements. Why have others not recorded their statement?” The Chief Justice also asked how many have been arrested in the Lakhimpur Kheri case so far.
CJI Ramana has asked the matter to be listed again next Wednesday. “Petitioner says the status report was not given to him. It's a sensitive matter. Let's see if it can be given to him,” said the CJI.
The hearing was adjourned to October 26.
On October 3, the lives of 8 people were claimed, four of them being farmers protesters who were allegedly mowed down by the vehicles in the convoy of Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister and BJP MP Ajay Kumar Mishra.
Ten people, including Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister of state for Home Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ajay Kumar Mishra 'Teni', have been arrested so far in connection with the case.
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