Lakhimpur Kheri: SIT finds killing pre-planned, seeks to invoke attempt-to-murder charges

Ashish Mishra, son of MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni (Source: ANI)

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Lakhimpur Kheri case has said that the killing of farmers was “pre-planned” and has written to the judge seeking modification in the charges against the accused.

Eight people were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 after being knocked down by a vehicle allegedly driven by Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra.

The farmers had gathered for a demonstration in Lakhimpur Kheri district, where junior home affairs minister Ajay Mishra and the state’s deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were scheduled to visit.

The SIT wants to include “attempt to murder, voluntarily causing
grievous hurt by dangerous weapons, and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention” charges, The Times of India reported.

“The incident was a deliberate act and not of negligence or callousness,” said Vidyaram Diwakar, SIT investigation officer.

Investigation team probing Lakhimpur Kheri violence says the incident was as per a "pre-planned conspiracy" which led to death of 5 people and left several injured

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(file photo) pic.twitter.com/oAjYLQwF3V

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 14, 2021

The SIT has so far arrested Ashish Mishra and 12 more in the case. All accused are lodged in the Lakhimpur Kheri district jail.

On December 14, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the prime minister was aware that a minister had killed farmers.

#WATCH | A minister killed farmers. PM is aware of it. Truth is that 2-3 capitalists are against farmers... These MPs were not suspended by RS chairman or PM but by the power that wants to steal farmers' income. PM & the chairman are just implementors: Rahul Gandhi, Congress pic.twitter.com/FTP9FguSxo

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2021