New Delhi: The SC on Friday agreed to hear the special leave petition filed by the kin of the farmers who got killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence four months ago. The petition challenged the relief granted to the accused Ashish Mishra by the Allahabad HC.
The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before the Chief Justice of India by Advocate Prashant Bhushan. Bhushan pointed out that the HC while granting the bail, did not follow the law laid down and did not consider aspects like tampering with evidence and fleeing from justice, Bhushan submitted, adding that the other accused in the matter is moving the HC seeking bail on the strength of Mishra.
He sought a direction to the high court that for the time being, the bail plea of other accused be not considered.
“I can list on March 11 only. Other judges have to be available, the CJI said. File a memo before the high court that we are hearing on March 11, the bench added.
The petition was filed by three family members who sought a stay on the HC’s bail order, claiming the verdict was ‘unsustainable in the eyes of the law as there has been no meaningful and effective assistance by the state to the court in the matter.’
Accused Ashish Mehra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, was granted bail by Allahabad HC on February 10th. He was arrested on October 3rd, for allegedly mowing down protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Eight people including a journalist and four farmers died during the purported incident.