In the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case involving former Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni’s son Ashish Mishra, the Supreme Court was informed today that a key witness has alleged intimidation and confirmed his intention to pursue legal action.

Counsel for the State apprised the Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Baghchi that the witness’s statement had been recorded and an FIR registered under Sections 195A, 506, and 120B IPC. “We deputed a Deputy Secretary who recorded his statement. He verified that there was indeed some pressure on him,” the State counsel said.

Taking note, the bench directed that since a DSP-rank officer had initially conducted the preliminary inquiry, it would be “prudent” for the FIR to be investigated by the same officer or one of equal rank. The Court also directed that the status of the ongoing investigation be placed on record.

According to reports, the FIR for witness intimidation names Ashish Mishra and his father Ajay Mishra Teni as accused.

Meanwhile, on Mishra’s request, the Court permitted him to visit Lakhimpur Kheri for Diwali celebrations, subject to the same conditions imposed in the March 24, 2025 order, when he was allowed to visit for Ram Navami. He has undertaken to return on October 22.

Earlier, the Court had directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to verify allegations of threats to witnesses and take necessary action. It also instructed the Trial Court to examine as many witnesses as possible.

During today’s hearing, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave (for Mishra), Advocate Prashant Bhushan (for complainants), and the State counsel informed the bench that 23 prosecution witnesses have been examined, 9 dropped, 2 remain unserved, and the rest are scheduled for October 27. The witness list has been revised to 131 from the earlier 208. Bhushan, however, noted that 99 witnesses are still to be examined and urged for an expedited trial.

Justice Kant, however, declined to fix a strict timeline, observing that such directions might amount to direct monitoring by the Supreme Court and could burden the trial court.

The case pertains to the October 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, where vehicles allegedly belonging to Ashish Mishra’s convoy ran over protesting farmers, killing five people. Following public outrage, the Supreme Court criticized the Uttar Pradesh Police’s delay in arresting Mishra, after which he was taken into custody.

The Allahabad High Court’s 2022 bail order was set aside by the Supreme Court for ignoring relevant factors. Mishra later received interim bail in January 2023, which was later made absolute, with strict conditions restricting his movement and political participation.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court sought Mishra’s response to fresh allegations of witness intimidation, leading to the current developments.

Case Title: Ashish Mishra alias Monu v. State of U.P. — SLP (Crl) No. 7857/2022