The Supreme Court on 8 May 2026 expressed disappointment over the sluggish progress of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, directed the trial court to secure witness presence and strictly follow the witness protection scheme.
Key Developments
- The bench heard the bail plea of Ashish Mishra (son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra) and allowed his interim bail to continue.
- State counsel reported that in the first trial 44 witnesses have been examined, 15 discharged, leaving 72 witnesses pending; in the second trial 26 of 35 witnesses have deposed, with nine still to be examined.
- Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave highlighted that no witness has been examined for the past two months despite the issuance of bailable warrants and non‑bailable warrants.
- Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing victims, alleged police intimidation of witnesses, contributing to their non‑appearance.
- The Court noted that a status report failed to explain the absence of witnesses and ordered the trial judge to take "lawful measures" to ensure their presence.
- A third connected trial on alleged witness intimidation was flagged; the investigating officer must submit a final report within four weeks.
Important Facts
The incident occurred in October 2021 when vehicles allegedly linked to Ashish Mishra ran over protesting farmers, killing five, followed by gunfire. A separate mob‑violence episode resulted in three additional deaths, bringing the total to eight. The case is titled Ashish Mishra Alias Monu v. State of U.P. SLP(Crl) No. 7857/2022. After nearly five years, 72 witnesses remain to be examined, reflecting a systemic delay.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this case helps aspirants grasp the functioning of India’s judicial process. It illustrates challenges in witness management, the role of the witness protection scheme, and the impact of political influence on law enforcement. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores judicial oversight of executive agencies, a key theme in GS2 (Polity) and GS5 (Security). Moreover, the case touches upon the 2020‑21 farm laws protests, linking socio‑economic policy to law‑and‑order dynamics.
Way Forward
The Court has mandated that the trial court expedite witness examination, employ the witness protection scheme, and aim for a time‑bound conclusion of both trials. The investigating officer must complete the probe into alleged intimidation within four weeks. For UPSC candidates, the case serves as a live example of how the judiciary can enforce procedural efficiency, protect democratic rights, and maintain the credibility of the criminal justice system.