LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Monday rejected bail pleas of four accused – Lavkush, Ankit Das, Sumit Jaiswal and Shishupal – in connection with Lakhimpur incident involving Union minister Ajai Mishra alias Teni’s son Ashish Mishra alias Monu, in which as many as five persons were crushed to death. Meanwhile, hearing on bail plea of Ashish was deferred till May 25.
Passing the order, the bench observed that all the four accused persons were actively involved in planning and participation of the heinous offence committed in a cruel, diabolic and inhuman manner and as such did not deserve bail.
“These four accused and the main accused, Ashish Mishra alias Monu, belong to very influential political families as said and apprehension of the prosecution that they would interfere with the course of justice, tamper with the evidence and influence the witnesses, cannot be ruled out at this stage,” added the bench.
The order came from the bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh on the bail pleas of the four filed individually.
While considering the Special Investigation Team’s conclusion in the charge sheet that if the Union minister had not made utterances against farmers a few days before the incident, the incident would not have taken place, the bench observed, “Political persons holding high offices should make public utterances in a decent language considering its repercussions in the society. They should not make irresponsible statements as they are required to conduct themselves befitting their status and dignity of high office which they hold.”
The bench also reacted strongly that the administration had not cancelled wrestling competition in the Union minister’s village when section 144 of CrPC was imposed in the area. It said, “This court cannot believe that it would not have been within the knowledge of the deputy chief minister of the State that in the area provisions of section 144 CrPC were clamped and any assembly or gathering was prohibited.”
“Despite this, the wrestling competition was organized and the Union minister of state for home and the deputy chief minister decided to be present as chief guest etc. in the event,” said the bench.
The bail plea of Ashish Mishra was listed before Justice Krishan Pahal for hearing. However, it was deferred in order to enable the state government to place its response properly.
Notably, the court praised the Special Investigation Team for conducting a free, fair, impartial, and scientific investigation into the crime.
