New Delhi, October 26: The Supreme Court has allowed Ashish Mishra, accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and son of former Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, to visit his hometown in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate Diwali with his family.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant granted the permission following a request from Mishra’s counsel, who pointed out that similar relief had been granted last year. Mishra has undertaken to leave his hometown by November 16.

The Court reiterated conditions restricting his visit to meeting family members and prohibiting any attempt to influence witnesses in the case.

The violence occurred on October 3, 2021, when an SUV allegedly linked to Mishra ran over protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Eight people, including four farmers, were killed during the incident amid protests against the now-repealed farm laws.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court that the trial judge had been replaced as part of an administrative change and a new Special Public Prosecutor had been appointed.

Last month, the apex court sought the state government's response to a request for appointing a more experienced public prosecutor. It also sought a sealed-cover report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice on the handling of the trial by the new judge.

The directions followed concerns raised by advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the complainants, over the conduct of the newly appointed judge and public prosecutor, particularly regarding key eyewitnesses.

witnesses in the case