Is Ashish Mishra Allowed to Visit His Hometown Amid Lakhimpur Kheri Violence Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court permits Ashish Mishra to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
- Stay permitted from December 25 to January 1.
- 36 prosecution witnesses examined, 85 pending.
- Next hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026.
- Strict conditions imposed on Mishra's bail.
New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has granted permission to Ashish Mishra, the main accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence incident, to travel to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh for a limited time later this month. The court allows him to stay there from December 25, 2025, to January 1, 2026.
The decision was made by a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after senior counsel Siddharth Dave, representing Mishra, informed that his client wishes to be with family during this period due to his daughter's upcoming examination.
“The petitioner is permitted to stay in Lakhimpur Kheri with family from December 25 to January 1, subject to the same conditions as imposed earlier,” stated the CJI Kant-led bench.
During the hearing, the court examined the status of the ongoing trial and noted that while 36 prosecution witnesses have been questioned, 85 remain to be examined.
According to the case status available on the Supreme Court website, the matter is scheduled for the next hearing on March 19, 2026.
In January 2023, when granting interim bail, the Supreme Court had established strict conditions, preventing him from entering Uttar Pradesh except for trial-related purposes and warned that any attempt by him or his family to influence witnesses could result in bail cancellation.
Later, the top court relaxed some restrictions, allowing him to stay in Lucknow or Delhi and visit family on weekends, provided he returns to Lucknow by Sunday afternoons.
The Supreme Court had previously urged the prosecution to streamline the trial process by eliminating unnecessary formal witnesses to hasten proceedings.
Moreover, it has considered a report from the Lakhimpur Kheri police regarding a complaint filed against Mishra and his father for alleged witness intimidation, directing that an officer of DSP rank handle the investigation.
In October 2021, violence erupted in Lakhimpur Kheri District's Tikunia, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals when farmers protested against UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit. The UP Police's FIR states that an SUV, which Mishra was in, mowed down four farmers.