Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Only 23 witnesses despite thousands of incidents

Also ordered the Yogi government to ensure the safety of witnesses

New Delhi: In the Lakhimpur violence case, the Supreme Court again slammed the Yogi government, saying there were thousands of people at the scene and why there were only 23 witnesses so far. He also asked the Yogi government to ensure the safety of the witnesses. He also ordered that the statements of the witnesses be recorded as soon as possible. A bench of CJI NV Ramna, Justice Suryakant and Justice Hima Kohli heard the petition seeking an independent inquiry into the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in the Supreme Court. The next hearing is now set for November 8.

Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the apex court that the statements of 30 witnesses were recorded. Twenty-three of them are claimed to be eyewitnesses at the scene.

Regarding this, the CJI said that the farmers' rally was going on on such a large scale and if only a large number of farmers were present, only 23 witnesses were found. Salve then said people have seen the car and those present in the car.

During the hearing of the case, the Supreme Court said there was a crowd of four to five thousand at the scene. All are locals and most of the people are agitating after this incident. This is what the court has been shown. Then there should be no problem in identifying these people. Harish Salve has told the apex court that now that the witness statement has been recorded, the Uttar Pradesh government can submit it to the court in a sealed cover.

The apex court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seek the services of a judicial magistrate from the district judge to record the statements of witnesses registered with the case. The court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to expedite the forensic laboratories in preparing its report on electronic evidence.

The apex court had slammed the Yogi government for delaying the recording of witnesses' statements in the last hearing. The court adjourned the proceedings after the Yogi government sought time to take statements from witnesses. After that, it was decided to take action on October 6. Ashish, son of Union Home Minister Ajay Mishra, was killed when he drove over agitating farmers and four others were killed in a retaliatory attack by farmers.