The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea filed by Ashish Mishra, the primary accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, seeking additional relaxation in his bail conditions. A three-judge bench of the top court maintained that there were no valid grounds to modify the existing restrictions imposed on the accused at this stage.
Supreme Court Dismisses Request for Relief
The matter was heard on Thursday by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana. During the proceedings, counsel representing Ashish Mishra urged the court to ease the current bail constraints, highlighting that the strict restrictions prevented him from participating in private family events, including his daughters' birthdays. Unimpressed by the submission, Chief Justice Surya Kant turned down the request, stating, "At present, there is no ground to consider this request. The application is dismissed."
Strict Terms Maintained Amid Ongoing Trial
Ashish Mishra is among the key individuals undergoing trial in connection with the tragic events of October 2021. The top court had previously attached strict conditions to his bail to safeguard the integrity of the judicial proceedings. Although the defense sought temporary adjustments on personal and familial grounds, the bench reaffirmed that the existing terms would remain unchanged without a compelling reason.
Background of the October 2021 Incident
The case stems from violent clashes that erupted on October 3, 2021, in Tikunia village, located in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. Local farmers were holding demonstrations against a scheduled visit by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya when the situation escalated into fatal violence. Eight individuals lost their lives during the incident. According to the prosecution, an SUV ran over four protesting farmers, triggering subsequent violence in which the vehicle driver, two workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and a journalist were killed.
