[Lakhimpur Suo Moto Case] Supreme Court Wants Status Report On Investigation and Arrests

The Supreme Court on Thursday took suo moto cognizance of the Lakhimpur violence. Terming the incident as unfortunate, the apex court asked Additional Advocate General (AAG) Garima Prashad representing the state of Uttar Pradesh to take stock of the matter. The Supreme Court wants to know the progress on the FIR lodged in the case and the status of the pending petitions filed before the Allahabad High Court.

To this, the AAG responded by informing the court that an FIR has been registered against the accused and a judicial commission enquiry under the chairmanship of retired judge Pradeep Kumar Srivastava is also underway. However, the Supreme Court bench led by N.V. Ramana made it expressly clear that granular details of the status of the case is required.

The Supreme Court took sou moto cognizance of the case after two lawyers had written a letter addressed to CJI Ramana seeking a CBI investigation in the matter. The Supreme Court took note of the letter and listed the case for sou moto hearing within 24 hours on Wednesday considering the ramifications of the incident and the wide public interest involved. 

8 people died out of which 4 farmers were mowed down by an SUV. Subsequently an FIR for murder has been registered against politician Ajay Mishra’s son. Both the cars in the Lakhimpur violence are said to be linked to the minister. 

While political brick batting is on full display with opposition leaders asking for Mishra’s resignation, how speedily the case proceeds under Supreme Court’s supervision is something the public will keep a keen eye on. After all, basic human rights are at stake here.