The Supreme Court on Thursday (16 July) recorded a status report filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police stating that its investigation found no material to prosecute former Union Minister Ajay Mishra or his son Ashish Mishra in the separate witness intimidation case connected to the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence trial.
A Bench comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing the matter while continuing to monitor the progress of the main criminal trial arising from the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
Background of the Case
The witness intimidation case originated after trial witness Baljinder Singh alleged that he had been threatened to withdraw his testimony in the main Lakhimpur Kheri case. Following directions from the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh Police recorded his statement and registered an FIR under Sections 195-A, 506 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.
The principal criminal case relates to the October 3, 2021 incident in Lakhimpur Kheri, where eight people, including four farmers, lost their lives during violence that broke out amid a farmers' protest. Ashish Mishra is facing trial in that case and continues to remain on bail granted by the Supreme Court.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Ashish Mishra, submitted that neither Ashish Mishra nor Ajay Mishra had been named in the charge sheet filed in the witness intimidation case.
The State informed the Court that only one accused, Amandeep Singh, had been charge-sheeted after completion of the investigation.
Recording the status report, the Bench noted,
"As regards the role of Ajay Mishra, Ashish Mishra and others, the investigation reveals that they were not involved in the alleged offence."
The Court also noted the State's update that several witnesses are yet to be examined in the main Lakhimpur Kheri trial, although counsel for Ashish Mishra submitted that the trial is expected to conclude within about three months.
Decision
The Supreme Court took the Uttar Pradesh Police's status report on record and granted the complainant two weeks to file an additional affidavit responding to the report.
The matter has been listed for hearing again next month while the Court continues to monitor the progress of the main trial.
Case Details
Case Title: Ashish Mishra Alias Monu v. State of Uttar Pradesh
Case Number: SLP (Crl.) No. 7857 of 2022
Judge: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
Decision Date: 16 July 2026
-300x169.webp)
