SC declines to relax Ashish Mishra’s bail conditions in Lakhimpur Kheri case

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to further relax the bail conditions imposed on Ashish Mishra, the prime accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, holding that there were no grounds to modify the existing restrictions.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana dismissed Mishra's application seeking additional relaxation of the conditions attached to his bail.

During the hearing, Mishra's counsel argued that the current restrictions prevented him from attending family functions, including his daughters' birthday celebrations, and sought limited relief from the court.

Rejecting the plea, the Bench observed that it found no justification to entertain the request at this stage.

"There is no ground to entertain this prayer at this stage. The application is dismissed," Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said.

The case stems from the violence that erupted on 3 October 2021, in Tikunia village in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district during a farmers' protest against the visit of then Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Eight people lost their lives in the incident, including four farmers. According to the prosecution, the farmers were allegedly run over by a sports utility vehicle, triggering violence in which the vehicle's driver, two BJP workers and a journalist were also killed.

Ashish Mishra remains one of the principal accused facing trial in the case. The Supreme Court had earlier granted him bail subject to conditions, including restrictions on his movement, which have remained in force while the trial continues.

With PTI inputs