4 years on, Lakhimpur Kheri victims await justice as witnesses turn hostile

On October 3, 2021, an SUV, with former Union minister of state for home Ajay 'Teni' Mishra's son Ashish Mishra allegedly in it, mowed down four farmers and a journalist in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district.

- Pawan Dixit

In the ensuing violence, three more people - two of whom were Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and one was the driver of the car - were killed.

The incident ignited nationwide protests, prompted the Supreme Court to set up a special investigation team (SIT), and the arrest of 13 people, including Ashish Mishra. Trial in the case finally began in January 2023.

But two years later, progress has been slow despite daily proceedings ordered by the apex court, and nearly 40% of the prosecution witnesses who've appeared in court have turned hostile, HT has found.

Only 47 of the 103 witnesses finalised by the prosecution have deposed before the court of additional district judge DN Singh so far. Of them, 20 have turned hostile while 27 have recorded their statements, according to statements from the prosecution lawyer. "Out of 27 eyewitnesses who have recorded their statements in court, 25 are those who were injured in violence and two others are eyewitnesses," said Arvind Tripathi, district government counsel (criminal), representing the state.

According to Tripathi, 20 eyewitnesses who have turned hostile are all private individuals and farmers. "After prosecution presents all its witnesses in court, defence will seek permission from the court to present its witnesses. Only after approval from the court, defence will be able to present its witnesses," he added.