Lakhimpur Kheri violence: SIT files 5000-page chargesheet, MoS' son Ashish Mishra named main accused

Lakhimpur Kheri: Ninety days later, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Lakhimpur Kheri violence which claimed eight lives, including those of four farmers, filed a chargesheet on Monday.

The farmers who were protesting against the Centre's farm laws were killed in Tikunia village when a vehicle mowed them down on October 3 last year. Three BJP workers were killed in retaliation by a mob that became furious after seeing the farmers die. A journalist was also killed.

In the chargesheet spread over 5,000 pages, the prosecution has added a name in the list of accused.

Now 14 people have been accused including Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra. The prosecution has added the name of Virendra Shukla, a confidant of Ajay Mishra, and charged him under section 201 of the Indian Penal Code, prosecution lawyer S P Yadav said.

So far 13 accused, including Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra, have been sent to jail. While Ashish Mishra was arrested on October 10, Lavkush and Ashish Pandey, his close aides, were taken into custody on October 7. Both are in judicial custody.

Ashish Mishra’s involvement led to attacks on the BJP ahead of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Political parties have been demanding the resignation of Minister Ajay Mishra.

Ashish Mishra and his associates are accused of firing and mowing down the farmers under the wheels of a jeep.

The charges against the accused include attempt to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means. (UNI)