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Lakhimpur Kheri violence: HC says Union MoS' son can influence trial, denies bail
UP farmer killings: A bench, headed by Justice Krishna Pahal, said Ashish is politically so influential that he could influence the witnesses and affect the trial.
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra 'Teni', in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case that had left four farmers and a journalist dead in October last year.
A bench, headed by Justice Krishna Pahal, said Ashish is politically so influential that he could influence the witnesses and affect the trial.
The Lucknow bench of the high court had reserved its order on July 15 after completing the hearing.
On February 10, the Lucknow bench had granted bail to Ashish but the Supreme Court cancelled it and directed the high court to decide his plea after affording adequate opportunity to the victims. Accordingly, the high court heard his bail petition afresh.
Mishra is a co-accused in the killing of four farmers and a journalist at Tikunia in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district on October 3 last year.
The farmers and the journalist were mowed down by a speeding vehicle. In the ensuing violence, two BJP workers and the driver of a vehicle were killed by an agitated mob, leading to a nationwide uproar. The Opposition has demanded the resignation of Teni over the issue.
Two FIRs were lodged in connection with the violence.
