Uttar Pradesh: A single-member commission of enquiry has been constituted to investigate the death of eight persons in Lakhimpur Kheri, announced the Yogi Govt today. This comes hours before a Supreme Court bench led by CJI NV Ramana is slated to take up the incidents in Lakhimpur Kheri, where eight people, including four farmers, died on Sunday, 3 October. Alongside Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli would also hear the case. The SC on Wednesday took Suo Moto cognizance of the violence that claimed the lives of eight people on Sunday and hear the matter.
Amidst the growing political outcry across the state, the court decided to take up the case. Though officials from the Police Department filed against Ashish Mishra for murder, the minister, Ajay Mishra, and his son have maintained that he was not present at the spot and was not driving the car. The minister also met Home Minister Amit Shah, earlier on Wednesday.
Earlier on the same day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his convoy had a face-off with the UP Police over transport arrangements. After many scuffles at the airport, the Congress delegation left for Lakhimpur Kheri. During an interaction with the Congress leaders; the family of a 19-year-old Lovpreet Singh questioned the arrest of Union Minister’s son, Ashish Mishra who is alleged to have run his vehicle over farmers protesting in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
“Families are not satisfied with the post mortem reports. They want action against the culprit. They need justice. Everyone knows who is accused.” said Gandhi after convening with the families. He further added, “ these families don’t want compensation, they want justice. It can’t be possible unless Ajay Mishra resigns as Minister of State for Home. Impartial probe is not possible under him if they can’t arrest Ashish Mishra.”