Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Allahabad HC grants bail to 12 accused
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday granted regular bail to a total of 12 accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case in which Ashish Mishra, son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra, is the main accused.
Justice Krishan Pahal noted that people involved in the violence had "admittedly" not observed restraint and there was a cross-version against the complainants' allegations, Bar and Bench reported.
The HC further observed that a significant number of witnesses remain to be examined with no likelihood of the trial concluding shortly.
"The Court finds it to be a fit case for bail. Accordingly, the bail applications are hereby allowed," the HC ordered.
"It is settled principle of law that the object of bail is to secure the attendance of the accused at the trial. No material particulars or circumstances suggestive of the applicant fleeing from justice or thwarting the course of justice or creating other troubles in the shape of repeating offences or intimidating witnesses and the like have been shown by learned AGA or the counsel for informant," said Justice Pahal.
Mishra who is main accused of killing at least four farmers who had assembled in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh in 2021 to protest against the now revoked farm laws, is already on bail in the case. The accused, who were granted relief today, had been granted interim bail by the High Court on different dates last year.
A total of eight people including a journalist were killed in the violence.
