Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son Ashish Mishra is accused of killing opposing farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri last year, should not have made threatening statements to farmers days before the tragedy, the High Court said today, dismissing bail for four other defendants.
The Allahabad High Court pointed to a charge sheet filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Investigation Team, which stated that the deaths would not have occurred if Ajay Mishra, a Minister of State for Home in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ministry, had not reportedly threatened farmers.
Ashish Mishra is accused of driving over four farmers and a journalist on October 3 during a demonstration against agricultural restrictions in Lakhimpur Kheri. Three additional people were slain in the subsequent fighting.
Ashish Mishra was allegedly in his father’s convoy less than an hour before the incident, which was travelling to a wrestling event attended by UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Farmers had waved black flags as the caravan drove by.
As per the High Court, political figures should make public statements in the respectable language. They must conduct themselves in a manner befitting their position and respect. Lawmakers cannot be considered lawbreakers.
The main culprit, Ashish Mishra, was recently sent to jail after his bail was revoked by the Supreme Court. The Allahabad High Court, which granted him bail on February 10, stated today that the accused were powerful and may tamper with evidence.