Lakhimpur Kheri violence: SC asks UP to appoint senior prosecutor; seeks sealed-cover HC report on trial judge’s handling of case NEW DELHI: Giving a twist to the five-year-old Lakhimpur Kheri case in which Asish Mishra, the son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra, is accused of mowing down four protesting farmers with his vehicle, advocate Prashant Bhushan Tuesday accused the trial judge of attempting to intimidate witnesses and derail the trial.Bhushan told a SC bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that when a prime witness had sought deferment of his deposition on medical grounds, the trial judge issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The judicial officer needs to be changed. Otherwise, there will be a complete miscarriage of justice, I can guarantee that,” Bhushan said.He said the judge was causing havoc in the district as he took NDPS and SC/ST Act cases for himself and acquitted the accused.The bench said it was more worrying that the public prosecutor had been giving up on testimonies of vital witnesses. The court asked UP govt to ensure that the present public prosecutor was replaced with a seasoned one or the most senior in the district. It also told the state to instruct the new public prosecutor to recall witnesses who had been given up by the prosecution to depose before the trial court.Referring to allegations of a large number of acquittals rendered by the trial judge in serious cases, the bench asked the SC registry to forward Bhushan’s complaint to the Allahabad HC Chief Justice and requested him to take necessary action. It asked the HC registry to file an action taken report before SC.Last Oct, court had asked UP police to examine allegations of attempts by Mishra to influence witnesses. Mishra is out on bail but has been barred from residing in Lakhimpur Kheri, his hometown.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIIT Bombay Student Death: Family Alleges Caste Discrimination, Alumni Association Urges Fair Probe‘Only Akhilesh Can Beat BJP’: SP Leader Iqra Hasan’s Remark Triggers Fresh Congress-SP Face-Off’Everything Is Fine In Our Schools’: CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit’I’m With You Don’t Go’: Ex-Cong MLA Calls Off BJP Entry After Rahul Gandhi’s Emotional AppealJamui Harassment Case: Prime Accused Shot In Police Encounter, All Seven Arrested In Bihar | WatchVande Mataram Plea Hearing In Supreme Court; ‘Naxalite’ Remark Sparks Heated ExchangeStand-Up Comedian Pulkit Mani Cancels 3 Shows After Row Over PM Modi Mimicry At Rahul Gandhi EventStones, Bottles Hurled: Gogoi, Baghel Allege BJP attacked Congress Convoy In AssamCan Orphan Adopted Legally Be Handed Back Years Later? Delhi High Court Seeks Centre’s StandCourt Sets Aside Order Refusing Probe In Sonia Gandhi Electoral Roll Case; BJP Attacks Congress123PhotostoriesMaharani Gayatri Devi’s style legacy: Fashion trends set by her that refuse to go out of vogueFrom being selected through ‘Common Man’ to becoming the first wildcard: Here’s a look at Bigg Boss Tamil 10 fame Manivannan’s journeyMrunal Thakur’s pink saree look is what happens when traditional glam gets a little savage10 baby names that mean “one of a kind” or uniquenessShakira unleashes her she-wolf era in Gaurav Gupta’s fearless Banarasi silk creationFeeling lost in life? 5 questions that can help you understand what you truly wantWho was the blonde woman on Prince Charles’ Royal Train? Why Princess Diana was left shockedMicroneedling for skin explained: Can it really reduce acne scars, pores, texture, and uneven skin?Archana Puran Singh’s Rs 75 crore Madh Island mansion: Lush garden, dreamy skyline-view bedrooms, fancy vanity and more6 kitchen spices you can easily grow in pots at home: simple tips for a fresh and flavourful kitchen garden123Hot PicksIIT Bombay student suicideCAT 2026 registrationDelhi rapeBank StrikeOctober 2026 School HolidaysCBSE Date SheetCyclone ArnabUPI transactionsOpenAI breachJEE Main 2027Top TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyWWE Money In the BankRed SeaMichael JordanR PraggnanandhaaSuchika TariyalGhaziabad ProtestDelhi RapeBihar Girl HarassmentMumbai Accident
NEW DELHI: Giving a twist to the five-year-old Lakhimpur Kheri case in which Asish Mishra, the son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra, is accused of mowing down four protesting farmers with his vehicle, advocate Prashant Bhushan Tuesday accused the trial judge of attempting to intimidate witnesses and derail the trial.Bhushan told a SC bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that when a prime witness had sought deferment of his deposition on medical grounds, the trial judge issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him.
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“The judicial officer needs to be changed. Otherwise, there will be a complete miscarriage of justice, I can guarantee that,” Bhushan said.He said the judge was causing havoc in the district as he took NDPS and SC/ST Act cases for himself and acquitted the accused.The bench said it was more worrying that the public prosecutor had been giving up on testimonies of vital witnesses. The court asked UP govt to ensure that the present public prosecutor was replaced with a seasoned one or the most senior in the district. It also told the state to instruct the new public prosecutor to recall witnesses who had been given up by the prosecution to depose before the trial court.Referring to allegations of a large number of acquittals rendered by the trial judge in serious cases, the bench asked the SC registry to forward Bhushan’s complaint to the Allahabad HC Chief Justice and requested him to take necessary action. It asked the HC registry to file an action taken report before SC.Last Oct, court had asked UP police to examine allegations of attempts by Mishra to influence witnesses. Mishra is out on bail but has been barred from residing in Lakhimpur Kheri, his hometown.
