Lakhimpur Kheri violence case: SC asks Allahabad HC CJ for report on allegations against trial judge

Advocate Prashant Bhushan alleges trial judge withdrew NDPS and SC/ST cases to himself; SC directs Uttar Pradesh to find senior public prosecutor for sessions trial

Updated - September 22, 2026 08:00 pm IST - NEW DELHI

A vehicle set ablaze after violence broke out after farmers agitating were allegedly run over by a vehicle in the convoy of a Union minister, in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021. | Photo Credit: File

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) asked the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to look into allegations levelled in an application filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan against the judicial officer presiding over the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Mr. Bhushan alleged the judicial officer in question had withdrawn several cases involving offences under the narcotics and SC/ST atrocities laws to himself and acquitted the accused persons concerned.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for an eyewitness in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, alleged that the presiding officer issued a non-bailable warrant against his client after he failed to appear before the court due to an illness.

“The conduct of the presiding officer will shock the conscience of the court. The presiding officer withdrew to himself NDPS, SC/ST cases and granted the accused bail or acquitted them. Under the law, he cannot withdraw to himself,” Mr. Bhushan contended.

He further claimed that even the public prosecutor has been changed midway and the new one only has four months’ experience.

The Bench directed the Uttar Pradesh government to look for a senior public prosecutor in the Lakhimpur Kheri district who has considerable experience in conducting sessions trials and inform the court in two weeks.

The court asked the High Court Chief Justice to submit his enquiry report into the allegations in a sealed cover. The top court posted the matter after two weeks.

The primary accused standing trial in the case is Ashish Mishra, son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra. On October 3, 2021, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Tikunia in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district during a protest by farmers against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

Four farmers were mowed down by a sports utility vehicle. A driver and two BJP workers were then allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.

In December 2022, the trial court framed charges against Mr. Mishra and 12 others, including charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and other offences, paving the way for the commencement of the trial in the main case.

Published - September 22, 2026 07:57 pm IST

court / law / crime, law and justice / violation of law / riots / Caste violence

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