Lakhimpur Kheri killings case: Supreme Court allows ex-Minister’s son to come home for Deepavali

The Supreme Court was apprised on Monday (October 26, 2026) that the trial judge hearing the Lakhimpur Kheri killings case, involving the son of a former Union Minister in the array of prime accused, has been transferred out.

The move came after a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant in September asked the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to look into allegations levelled in an application filed by victims, through advocate Prashant Bhushan, against the judicial officer.

Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, for Ashish Mishra, former Minister Ajay Mishra’s son, said the transfer was a “routine one”, and had nothing to do with the suspicions raised by the victims.

Mr. Bhushan contended that the transfer may be only a preliminary step.

The counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh submitted that 90 of the 131 witnesses in the case have been examined. Over 41 were left. The State said a Special Public Prosecutor has been appointed for the trial.

On October 3, 2021, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Tikunia in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district during a protest by farmers against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area.

Four farmers were mowed down by a sports utility vehicle. A driver and two BJP workers were then allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.

In December 2023, the trial court framed charges against Mishra and 12 others, including charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and other offences, paving the way for the commencement of the trial.

When interim bail was initially granted in January 2023, the Supreme Court had directed that Ashish Mishra must not stay in Uttar Pradesh or enter Lakhimpur Kheri, except specifically to attend trial proceedings or court hearings.

On Monday (October 26, 2026), the apex court agreed to allow Ashish Mishra to return to Lakhimpur Kheri to join his family for Deepavali festivities.

The Court said the trial court must hear the case expeditiously.

In September, Mr. Bhushan alleged that the judicial officer in question had withdrawn several cases involving offences under the narcotics and SC/ST atrocities laws to himself and acquitted the accused persons concerned. Mr. Bhushan had also alleged that the presiding officer issued a non-bailable warrant against his client after he failed to appear before the court on account of illness.

He had further claimed that even the public prosecutor has been changed midway and the new one only has four months’ experience.

The Bench had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to look for a senior public prosecutor with considerable experience in conducting the sessions trial.